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Senate President Therese Murray has brought the casino debate to the table in Massachusetts. Murray said the state needs to recoup some of the $900 million that studies suggest leaves the state every year to Rhode Island and Connecticut casinos.
Murray, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Gov. Deval Patrick have agreed in principle to bring casino legislation forward, but what that will look like remains to be worked out, she said.
"While there is no agreement on timing or specifics of a bill, the governor has had very general discussions with legislative leadership relative to expanded gambling in the commonwealth," a spokeswoman for Patrick said in a statement Wednesday.
Republican Jeffrey Perry stated that instead of forced taxation, like the gas tax and other taxes put out there by the governor, there are viable options to create jobs and stop the money from going to Connecticut and anyplace else (gamblers) may be going.
Senate President Therese Murray hoped that if a gambling bill went throught, it would give the state revenue in 2011. She then added, “My staff is going to hate me for doing this, but - cha-ching.”
No casino locations have been chosen, but state representives are already scouting options as they hasten to stem gambling funds from leaving their state.
Casinos websites such as Golden Lounge currently acccept customers outside the United States.
