Massachusetts Gov. to propose three new casinos in the state

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is proposing three casino licenses up for grabs in the state.

Massachusetts Gov. to propose three new casinos in the state As the Boston Globe reports, Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to unveil a plan to put three casino licenses on the table up for grabs. The proposed three casinos would be located in the western, south-eastern and greater metropolitan Boston regions, according to a source close to the governor, and will bring hundreds of millions to the state's treasury from license and other fees, as well as from future taxes. A bidding process will be utilized for the three possible casinos in Massachusetts and some reports indicate that Suffolk Downs in East Boston and Revere's Wonderland Park are already preparing themselves for a bid on the new casino licenses.

A process is already under way by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to build a casino in Middleborough, Mass. and if the tribe moves on with this plan, it could make for a fourth casino in the state. If the plan of the Gov. Patrick succeeds, the tribe could simply bid for one of the casino licenses and shorten the lengthier road to federal approval.

Patrick's plan would still have to pass the Massachusetts House of Representatives, which is well-known for shutting down gambling initiatives in the state before.

Published on 09/17/2007