Gambling advocates won a major victory in the Massachusetts House of Representatives yesterday. Reporters call yesterday's legislation the largest expansion of gambling in the state since 1971, the year the Lottery was implemented.
The vote was 120-to-37, a landslide victory for gambling advocates. Legislators say the slumping economy persuaded them that casinos and slot machines represent an opportunity to create jobs and capture about $1 billion of revenue a year.
The bill now must pass the senate, but with such a huge majority in the House, the senate vote is probably just a formality. Senators plan to craft the bill later this month.
Critics of gambling warn of social ills, including domestic violence, foreclosures, suicides, and other problems. Like we haven't heard that before!
Interestingly, statistics say around 15,000 jobs will be created by the casinos, but only about 700 jobs will be created by the slots. Many senators support casinos, but not slots. I would have to say I side with them, but any progressive thinking toward gambling is a good sign.
A week ago, this bill would have made online poker illegal in Massachusetts. Thanks to the PPA, this passage has been removed from the current bill. Apparently lawmakers do listen to organizations like the PPA.
