Massachusetts Governor Calls For Gambling Compromise Between House And Senate

[CareyG]

Governor Duval Patrick began his quest to bring casino resorts to Massachusetts several years ago, but his vision has never been closer to reality than now. On Tuesday, Patrick drove that point home and insisted that lawmakers start working together to finish gambling legislation.

The House and the Senate have both passed different versions of gambling legislation, but since negotiations have begun, the two chambers have not made many strides in compromising. The governor scolded House and Senate lawmakers in his assessment of the negotiations.

"We're not going to get a bill without compromise between the House and the Senate, and there isn't going to be a compromise until both sides start to engage with each other and dial down some of the rhetoric," said Patrick. The governor also said that he would be open to further helping the struggling racing industry in Massachusetts.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo has pushed to have his proposal passed in the House, but the legislation includes slot machines for each of the state's racetracks. Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray both are against the tracks receiving the rights to slots.

DeLeo reiterated his point on Tuesday that slots should be included in any type of compromise that is made. The House Speaker did acknowledge, however, did not rule out the possibility that a bill could be created without the racino concession.

Massachusetts is falling further behind in the race for casino gambling supremacy in the Northeast. Pennsylvania not only has opened additional casinos in the past year, but the state also legalized table games for all of their casinos. Delaware casinos are now authorized for table games, and Delaware has legalized sports betting for its residents.

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