They did put it on the front page.
"Climate shifts in state gambling debate; Arguments familiar but dynamics differ" May 04, 2011|By Noah Bierman, Globe Staff
As state lawmakers open hearings on casino gambling today, the debate will be familiar in many respects, pitting promises of financial windfalls against warnings of social costs. But several political and economic dynamics have shifted since negotiations over the issue broke down nine months ago.
What ticks me off about this (and I'm not going to dig up a link) is after it failed last year we were told they would not be revisiting the issue this session. Then again, why should I be surprised? The politicians and paper lied? Yer kiddin'!
Casino proponents may enjoy a more hospitable climate this time around. Governor Deval Patrick may be more open to legalization of gambling, because he is no longer facing a reelection campaign in which he must appeal to core supporters who adamantly oppose it.
Aren't you glad he was your only option?
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, the most ardent casino supporter at the State House, has struck a more conciliatory tone after last year’s showdown with Patrick. And many lawmakers, who angered unions with votes to curtail collective bargaining, may support gambling as a way to reclaim support from labor leaders who believe that allowing casinos will bring construction jobs.
Are they out of their flippin' minds?
See: New Rules For Unions in Massachusetts
I don't think a self-serving casino bill is gonna do it.
On top of that, unemployment, though easing, remains high, and social programs in the state budget are being gutted because of a loss of federal stimulus money, making gambling revenue more attractive....
Yeah, it's not the $100 million slated for debt service to banks or the $82 million forked over to Hollywood, among other things.
The real negotiations will take place once again behind the scenes....
See: The Perils of One-Party Politics: The Ruling Party
The Perils of One-Party Politics: Massachusetts' Democracy
Now you know why all this crap is done in the middle of the night.
Executives in the industry, which spent $4.6 million on lobbying over the last two years, are expected to testify at today’s hearing, attempting to wow lawmakers with promises of large investments, thousands of jobs, and millions in state revenue....
As the unions are finding out, CA$INO CA$H is KING!
Several proponents say they believe that this is the year Beacon Hill will approve casinos....
As the gambling industry waits for the big payoff, lower-level gambling operators have been fighting over crumbs, seeking loopholes in state laws that allow charitable poker games or online poker parlors....
See: Globe's Late Night Poker Game
I went to bed instead.
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Awoke to this:
"Online poker lobby presses its case" by Dan Eggen, Washington Post / May 8, 2011
WASHINGTON — Online poker fans are calling it “Black Friday’’: On April 15, the Justice Department charged the owners of three of the world’s largest Internet gaming companies with bank fraud and gambling offenses, shutting down their websites and freezing bank accounts around the world.
I think government needs to get out of regulating vice. That's what freedom means, right?
Now, poker advocates in Washington are attempting to turn the bust to their advantage by renewing a push to legalize online poker in the United States.
A very important issue!
The Poker Players Alliance, a lobbying group backed in part by overseas gaming interests, has unleashed a blizzard of telephone calls and e-mails to lawmakers in the past two weeks....
The effort has growing support from major Nevada casinos that see an opportunity for a lucrative new market.
I fold.
Advocates are also dangling the prospect of billions of dollars in potential federal tax revenues at a time of fiscal distress in Washington.
But somehow the smell of legalized marijuana escapes them.
“We’re trying our best to make lemonade out of the lemons,’’ said John Pappas, the poker group’s executive director and chief lobbyist. “I think now more than ever, people realize that the status quo is not going to work. We need legislative clarity so that there is a US regulated marketplace for poker.’’
Funny. Gambling has always left me sour.
The debate centers on 2006 legislation that effectively bars Internet gaming by prohibiting banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions from processing online gambling transactions.
Anything to put in you interest-bearing debt.
In the April 15 indictment, federal prosecutors in New York alleged that owners and founders of the three poker companies tricked — or in some cases, bribed — US banks into processing gambling payments by making them seem as though they were for pet supplies, flowers, or other legitimate products.
All three of the companies involved are based in offshore gambling havens. I'll bet that wasn't very hard seeing as they suck up and launder drug loot. That (and ta loot) is what kept them afloat.
Opponents say the case illustrates the perils of legalizing poker or other online games of chance in the United States. But to many gaming advocates, the case provides an opportunity — in part, by effectively removing PokerStars and other foreign competitors from the US market.
Executives at Caesars Entertainment Corp. and Wynn Resorts, for example, have suggested that now might be the time to push for legalization and regulation of online poker games. And Senate majority leader Harry Reid, who won reelection in November with strong support from casino interests, appears to agree, telling the Associated Press recently that “I hope we can get something done.’’
Talk about being bought and paid for.
I wonder if they helped rig the machines.
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