Politics & Government

Poll: Casino Gambling in Mass. Close to Reality; Bill Heads to Gov. Patrick's Desk

Massachusetts lawmakers gave the final approval Wednesday evening to the bill legalizing casino gambling in the state.

Casino gambling in Massachusetts is one step away from becoming legalized.

Massachusetts' lawmakers gave the final approval Wednesday evening to the bill legalizing casino gambling in Massachusetts, the Boston Globe reports. The legislation has been sent to Governor Deval Patrick's desk for his signature, which he is expected to sign early next week.

Approved legislation would allow for three resort-style casinos and one slot parlor.

Find out what's happening in Medfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to Medfield's State Representative Dan Winslow's website, the bill "passed overwhelmingly in both the House (118-33) and Senate (23-14) Wednesday. Winslow voted in favor of the bill.

"At a time when we have so few people gainfully employed in the district I represent (Norfolk County), I believe it's a jobs bill at the end of the day," Winslow said.

Find out what's happening in Medfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The topic of legalized casino gambling in Massachusetts has been a hot topic throughout the state and in nearby Foxborough, according to reports from Foxborough Patch and the Boston Globe.

This past summer, a draft of zoning changes for Foxborough by a lawyer for the Kraft Group raised the idea that the Kraft family could play a role in the State's gambling plans.

A lawyer for the Kraft Group drafted zoning changes for the town that would have paved the way for casino gambling. The zoning changes were then submitted to Foxborough's Town Manager, Kevin Paicos. Paicos brought the issue to Foxborough's Board of Selectmen and the town's Planning Board. The against bringing the to town meeting, specifically making a motion to "not support any zoning changes to gambling anywhere in the town of Foxborough." 

Paicos noted at the time of the board meeting that the town was being approached by a number of developers.

"They came to Foxborough. We did not go to them," said Paicos. "The casino development community considers Foxborough an ideal location for development of the northern region casino."

More recently, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, acted crafty in comments concerning a possible casino in Foxborough. 

The Boston Globe reported that when Kraft was asked about the potential for a casino on the land he owns across from Gillette Stadium, he told reporters, "I don't want to say anything."

Although the Krafts are staying mum on a possible interest in a casino, National Football League rules bar franchises from owning casinos. However, the league does not have any rules against leasing or selling land to casino operators. Any casino developer would also have to win approval in a local ballot before winning a license.

If Governor Patrick signs the casino bill as expected, developers could come back to Foxborough as well as other parts of the state with detailed plans. The bill is expected to create 16,000 jobs in the state with three casino resorts and one slots-only gambling parlor.

The resorts will be regional, according to Winslow's website, with "one in western Massachusetts, one in southeastern Massachusetts and the third in either Boston or Worcester."

So Medfield, we want to know how you feel about the possibility of a casino so close to home ...

Today's question: Is casino gambling in Massachusetts a smart bet?


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