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September 17, 2007

Update: Mass. governor backs plan for 3 casinos

BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick proposed licensing three full-scale casinos in Massachusetts today, in a move he said would generate billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs.

Under the plan, the casinos would be distributed in the western, southeastern and greater metropolitan Boston regions of the state. The licenses would be put up for bid in a competitive process open to Indian tribes and casino companies.

But, he said, he did not know if bids from tribes would be given special weight. Bids also would not be limited to Massachusetts entities.

The Legislature must approve expanding legalized gambling beyond the state lottery and four racetracks.

Patrick said the casinos would generate more than $2 billion annually and create "good jobs at good wages."

"With that kind of economic benefit, we cannot reject the gaming industry out of hand," he said.

Some of the revenues would go to transportation and property tax relief, Patrick said. He also said trust funds would be created to deal with public health issues linked to gambling and "community mitigation" -- to help towns offset the costs of hosting a casino.

Patrick also emphasized the casinos would be part of a wider economic development plan.

Two of the largest casinos in the country are being operated by Indian tribes in eastern Connecticut, while the Narragansetts continue to press for a casino in Rhode Island, where Governor Carcieri remains strongly opposed.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Paul Grimaldi

More from the Associated Press ...

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 1:47 PM | Permalink

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