Massachusetts Casino Legislation Looks Positive as Chief Opponent Resigns From Office

BOSTON, Massachusetts -- As reported by The Boston Globe: "The sudden departure of House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi removes the state's chief opponent of casino gambling and could jolt the issue
  back to life on Beacon Hill.

"But just because casinos may be politically possible in the near future doesn't mean they will become reality any time soon. The recession has hit the gambling industry hard, slicing into profits and forcing layoffs at some casinos, making the prospect of developing new ones in Massachusetts far less enticing than it was a year ago. Developers appear wary of launching new ventures, and some are not seeing a clear path to profitable gambling in Massachusetts.

"'I think the change in speaker makes it an interesting discussion and potentially something that makes it a major development but, as we sit here today, I think it's premature to say the casino industry is poised to flood the borders,' said Dennis Murphy, a former state legislator who was has lobbied on Beacon Hill for Donald Trump.

"DiMasi was widely seen as the main road block to Governor Deval Patrick's plan to license three resort casinos last year. While Patrick said three casinos would produce $450 million in revenue, 20,000 jobs, and $2 billion in economic activity, DiMasi derided those figures as inflated and warned of importing a 'casino culture' of compulsive gambling and crime. Last March, he led the House in defeating the plan, 108 to 46..."