Slots AND casinos!
By adamg - 7/30/10 - 10:20 am
Gambling, gambling, gambling! The Globe reports legislators have come up with a plan to allow three resort casinos and slots at two tracks. Now let's see if the governor signs off.
Hmm: Suffolk Downs is a track, but it, and the mayor, want a resort casino there. So that wouldn't count toward those slots licenses, no?
Comments
Ugh
Let the Herald headlines begin!
"DeLeo doubles down; will Gov show his hand at last??" Etc.
Exactly, thats DeLeos trick,
Exactly, thats DeLeos trick, and suffolk downs and Wonderland are partners, so that only leaves 2 racetracks. I really hope the governor shuts this down, its a handout to racetracks. Lots of businesses have shut down or downsized during the recession, why can't the company I work for have slots in our office lobby to boost revenue?
And how saturated is the casino market going to be, with 3 casinos and two racinos in a state this size, with 2 huge casinos a short drive away in CT (and racinos in RI) and more in NJ theres no reason for people in NYC metro to come to these halls. Who is going to be doing all this gambling?
And online too
"And how saturated is the casino market going to be, with 3 casinos and two racinos in a state this size, with 2 huge casinos a short drive away in CT (and racinos in RI) and more in NJ theres no reason for people in NYC metro to come to these halls. Who is going to be doing all this gambling?"
Read the other day that Congress is about to revisit the online gambling restrictions so they can get a piece of the wager pie and supposedly at least Maine is looking at Casinos too (there go those Northern New England dollars). I have no problem with casinos - but let's not get all carried away that they are going to save our sorry overly-indebted behinds.
Maine has a casino
Okay, a slot parlor/racino, in Bangor. Several hundred slot machines, video poker, etc. It's far enough north (and doesn't have table games) that it probably wouldn't be competition for 3+ casinos in Mass. (we'd probably get the Portland->south market), but they've caught the bug up there and are already looking at building more.
It's pretty sad, really.
If the Gov can use this opprtunity to pass CORI reform
I'll accept the slot machine thing. We already have gambling addicts in Mass, for better or worse. I wait behind them in line at the local convenience store when I run out of toilet paper or milk unexpectedly. At lest some of the revenue from slots will go to help these chronic types to get help when they finally decide they've got a problem.
Also
The rest of us who don't have a problem can enjoy a little entertaining risk-taking/reward-making and maybe take in a traveling show that doesn't cost $50 for a cramped attic seat in the back of the balcony...all without having to burn 4 hours of the day to drive there and back.
tick tock
the legislature turns into a pumpkin on the 31st of July. What's done is done and what's not done must start over next session.
I don't understand how the debate over slots and "resort" wtf casinos took priority of health insurance cost control given how premiums this year alone are experiencing inflation at a rate of 20%-40% a year, and it is a product we are required by law to purchase, whereas casinos line the pockets of wealthy investors.
I think our legislature has seriously fucked up priorities.
When constituents can be
When constituents can be counted on to blindly vote for the incumbent no matter what, the politicians have absolutely no reason to give a damn what the people want. The people in this state are constantly being raped by politicians, yet it is a rarity for the politicians to have real challengers in elections and the public usually seems apathetic to voting for anyone new.
when was the last time GOP allowed a primary Governor vote?
exactly, when was the last time the Republicans let the people choose the candidate for Governor? Its always hand selected by the power brokers, Romney, Baker, Celluci, none of them had challengers. Just let the richest man run unopposed to represent the party.
The Mass GOP is a joke and
The Mass GOP is a joke and can't be bothered to put up candidates against many politicians whom are continually running unopposed. It's awful that on many ballots there isn't even the opportunity to vote against someone, because there isn't anyone else running!
I agree with that last statement...
The Legislature wants fast money, because if they take money from the usual channels (hikes in taxes, fees, etc.) their voters will scream "No fair!" Taking it from the unsuspecting rube who doesn't know odds, payouts, etc. makes it much easier for the state to take the payments.
It's the same with cigarette taxes...the state took in almost $1 billion in cigarette taxes and only $4.5 million was dedicated to health programs, including those to quit smoking. The rest went to the state's general fund.
When we continue to vote for people whose only interest is themselves (I'm talking both parties here) the voters will always be at the losing end.