It's a loser with me.
"Gambling projections for Mass. no sure bet; Casino estimates based on old study" August 27, 2011|By Stephanie Ebbert and Casey Ross, Globe Staff
Massachusetts policy makers are basing their hopes for the gambling market in large part on a consultant’s analysis that views the ongoing recession as an economic blip and assumes consumer spending will resurge by the time casinos are established in Massachusetts.
That study, first produced in 2008 and updated in 2010, also assumes Massachusetts casinos could not only reclaim money state residents now cross the border to bet in Connecticut and Rhode Island, but also entice them to spend much more.
Neither is a sure bet, economic analysts say....
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"Casino foes lack seasoned leaders; Departures thin legislative ranks" September 02, 2011|By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff
The departure of key lawmakers has left the Legislature without a vocal, organized wing of opposition to casinos, as Governor Deval Patrick and legislative leaders push the issue toward a debate this month.
Most on Beacon Hill believe the votes are already in place to approve casinos, as they were last year. But this year there will be no veteran wing of opposition to erode that support with persistent questions about the downside of casinos, such as how they could hurt small businesses and the poor.
Although the remaining opponents promise to question casinos again, the gambling issue is not their central focus. Nor do any of them have the power that House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi had to singlehandedly orchestrate the defeat of Patrick’s first push for casinos in 2008.
And now you know why his malfeasance was exposed. To get him out of the way.
The handful of activist groups that oppose casinos are also outgunned. They operate on a shoestring budget, relying on volunteers to write to local newspapers and legislators, while national gambling interests have spent $1.14 million in the first six months of the year to hire an army of well-connected lobbyists....
And yet the blogs have destroyed the AmeriKan media in just such a scenario.
As casino foes have lost powerful allies, casino supporters have strengthened their hand. The ascension of Robert A. DeLeo, a gambling supporter, into the speaker’s chair in 2009 persuaded nearly 60 lawmakers who had voted against casinos under DiMasi to switch their votes and back casinos last year.
In January, DeLeo solidified his grip on power by promoting loyalists who had supported his unsuccessful push for casinos and slot parlors.
DeLeo gave one of those promotions to Representative Brian Dempsey, his top deputy on gambling last year, who was named House Ways and Means chairman, the powerful post that doles out billions of dollars in state spending....
Some of which will be kicked back in the form of campaign loot from lobbyists.
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Also see:
Globe Editorial Casino bill is deeply flawed; rank and file should kill it
Wary Connecticut lawmakers consider response to Massachusetts casinos
Maine, R.I. seek to step up gambling
House OK's casino bill
