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By Kyle Cheney
State House News Service
Posted Dec 09, 2011 @ 12:40 AM
Last update Dec 09, 2011 @ 12:44 AM
MARSHFIELD —
Asked for her prediction about how expanded gambling will be perceived in Massachusetts 10 years from now, state Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouth, said residents won’t view it as “a big deal.”
“I think that they’ll be going to resort-type places or people will be coming into Massachusetts to stay at these resort-type places and gamble while they’re there,” she said during an interview on 95.9 WATD in Marshfield on Thursday.
“It’s not going to be slot parlors. These are destination places, and I don’t think it will be a big deal.”
The expanded gambling law signed by Gov. Deval Patrick last month did include a single slot parlor license to be competitively bid upon by developers, but the centerpiece of the bill is the legalization of up to three casinos across the state.
Casinos will be taxed at 25 percent of gross gambling revenue, while the slot parlor will be taxed at 49 percent. But before casinos can be built, the fights between backers and opponents promise to be fierce.
Critics say casinos offer a fertile environment for corruption and addiction, particularly in the areas immediately surrounding facilities. Backers say most Massachusetts residents already live within a couple of hours of a casino and are bringing addiction problems home with them, but none of the jobs or economic benefit that casinos carry.
“The money to both the towns who accept or pass a referendum to accept gaming and the revenue to the state will be significant,” Murray said. Then, alluding to efforts by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to partner with casino mogul Steve Wynn to seek a license for a Foxboro casino, Murray added, “If Kraft is successful down in Foxboro – or Wynn, excuse me – they’re talking 10,000 permanent jobs.”
Murray also said changes to the state pension system adopted last month – including an increase in the minimum retirement age for most employees, a longer averaging period to calculate pensions, and a cost-of-living adjustment increase for state employees – would help protect the solvency of the pension system.
Read more: Senate President Murray says casinos ‘no big deal’ - Plymouth, MA - Wicked Local Plymouth Senate President Murray says casinos ?no big deal? - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger
Read more: Senate President Murray says casinos ‘no big deal’ - Plymouth, MA - Wicked Local Plymouth Senate President Murray says casinos ?no big deal? - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger
State House News Service
Posted Dec 09, 2011 @ 12:40 AM
Last update Dec 09, 2011 @ 12:44 AM
MARSHFIELD —
Asked for her prediction about how expanded gambling will be perceived in Massachusetts 10 years from now, state Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouth, said residents won’t view it as “a big deal.”
“I think that they’ll be going to resort-type places or people will be coming into Massachusetts to stay at these resort-type places and gamble while they’re there,” she said during an interview on 95.9 WATD in Marshfield on Thursday.
“It’s not going to be slot parlors. These are destination places, and I don’t think it will be a big deal.”
The expanded gambling law signed by Gov. Deval Patrick last month did include a single slot parlor license to be competitively bid upon by developers, but the centerpiece of the bill is the legalization of up to three casinos across the state.
Casinos will be taxed at 25 percent of gross gambling revenue, while the slot parlor will be taxed at 49 percent. But before casinos can be built, the fights between backers and opponents promise to be fierce.
Critics say casinos offer a fertile environment for corruption and addiction, particularly in the areas immediately surrounding facilities. Backers say most Massachusetts residents already live within a couple of hours of a casino and are bringing addiction problems home with them, but none of the jobs or economic benefit that casinos carry.
“The money to both the towns who accept or pass a referendum to accept gaming and the revenue to the state will be significant,” Murray said. Then, alluding to efforts by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to partner with casino mogul Steve Wynn to seek a license for a Foxboro casino, Murray added, “If Kraft is successful down in Foxboro – or Wynn, excuse me – they’re talking 10,000 permanent jobs.”
Murray also said changes to the state pension system adopted last month – including an increase in the minimum retirement age for most employees, a longer averaging period to calculate pensions, and a cost-of-living adjustment increase for state employees – would help protect the solvency of the pension system.
Read more: Senate President Murray says casinos ‘no big deal’ - Plymouth, MA - Wicked Local Plymouth Senate President Murray says casinos ?no big deal? - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger
Read more: Senate President Murray says casinos ‘no big deal’ - Plymouth, MA - Wicked Local Plymouth Senate President Murray says casinos ?no big deal? - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger