Senator Ross Votes To Pass Gambling Bill

Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) voted today to pass a bill which will bring casino-style gambling to the Commonwealth. The Senate vote comes after six days of session and over sixteen hours of public debate. The bill provides for three resort-style casinos and one slot parlor, competitively bid.

The legislation divides Massachusetts into three regions: a Western Massachusetts region, including Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin and Berkshire Counties; a Southeastern Massachusetts region, including Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Nantucket and Dukes Counties; and a Boston-area region, including Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk and Worcester Counties. Each region is eligible for one resort-style casino.

“While establishing casinos in the Commonwealth is not a priority of mine, I am very supportive of establishing slot parlors,” said Senator Ross. “I would have liked to see the two establishments separated into separate bills, however, this legislation was all or nothing.  In comparison to casinos, slot parlors can be built in a very short amount of time as existing infrastructure can be expanded to provide for them. This can then create a quick turnaround in job growth and revenue production. I am hopeful that this legislation will be of great benefit to my district, particularly Plainridge Racecourse of Plainville and the surrounding communities.”

Under this legislation, the gaming establishments are expected to contribute greatly to the state’s revenue. Each casino developer must pay a capital investment of at least $500 million and a licensing fee of at least $85 million. The slot parlor will be required to make a capital investment of at least $125 million and a licensing fee of at least $25 million.

In the interest of protecting the local small business community, the Senate adopted an amendment offered by Senator Ross which requires gaming license applicants to develop cross-marketing strategies with local small businesses. Additionally, Senator Ross filed an amendment which would ensure that the existing Massachusetts workforce is primarily utilized by the gaming establishments. However, Senator Ross chose to withdraw this amendment as one very similar to it had already passed.

“It was very important to me that the business and labor communities of the Commonwealth were taken care of,” said Senator Ross. “These amendments to the expanded gaming bill will ensure that small businesses, as well as the Massachusetts workforce, are able to prosper as the gaming establishments run their business.”

This bill must still endure the Conference Committee process which may lead to changes to its content. The amended bill will then be presented to the House of Representatives and the Senate before progressing to the Governor’s desk for signing.

 Contact the office of Senator Ross with any questions or concerns at (617) 722-1555 or Richard.Ross@masenate.gov.