Mass Bill Allowing Slot Machines 

There are many within Massachusetts that would like to see a casino come in, and there are probably just as many that wouldn’t. But what they all want to know is that if they are bringing in slot machines and they are looking at building a casino – where would it go if they did? There are several plans to bring in slot machines to the racetracks, and at some point a casino as well.  

Governor Patrick had an idea to bring in a slot machine casino to Southeastern Massachusetts – something many residents really wanted to see happen. House Speaker Robert DeLeo is also pushing forward a bill that would legalize slot machines but he has a different agenda. He wants to see slot machines at the state’s racetracks and then possibly one casino. He said that he would not comment on where the casino was going to go and that they were still working on the logistics of the bill. 

He said that the slot machines would directly benefit SouthCoast and that was all he would say. He said that right now they are looking at one slot machine casino, but that hasn’t been determined yet – as there will probably be more than that. He said that he has to work out the bill and does not have a time frame for implementation yet. He said some people think that you can have slot machines up and running in a week – he thinks that might be pushing it a bit. 

Instead he is thinking about a plan that would include racinos getting their slot machines first, and then the construction of a casino or more would come after the fact. He feels that a “two prong” plan is what is best for Massachusetts.