Gambling Legislation

Representatives from the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah have identified a spot in Freetown for a resort casino: 400 acres located a short distance from Long Pond, just off Route 140, between exits 8 and 9. The tribe submitted a bid for a casino under Massachusetts gambling legislation, and also has options on land in Lakeville and Fall River. On May 29, Freetown will hold a referendum election vote on allowing a resort casino in town. Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at the Freetown Elementary School.

Representatives from the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah have identified a spot in Freetown for a resort casino: 400 acres located a short distance from Long Pond, just off Route 140, between exits 8 and 9. The tribe submitted a bid for a casino under Massachusetts gambling legislation, and also has options on land in Lakeville and Fall River. On May 29, Freetown will hold a referendum election vote on allowing a resort casino in town. Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at the Freetown Elementary School.

Four gambling casinos licensed to install up to 14,000 video slot machines and 420 table games would be legalized under a bill being voted on this week by the New Hampshire House. The House — which has traditionally rejected expanded gambling legislation — will vote on the bill Wednesday or Thursday. It faces long odds since Gov. John Lynch has pledged to veto it if it reaches his desk. If the House passes the bill, it would go to the Senate. The bill directs that some of the profits be used to reduce business taxes, which has made it more attractive to some in the House.

CONCORD, N.H. - Warning of missed opportunities and a revenue drain to Massachusetts, supporters are urging the New Hampshire House to move ahead with gambling legislation days before a critical vote. Supporters at a news conference Monday touted a bill to build four casinos across the state as an economic cure-all, using newly legalized gambling in Massachusetts as the impetus to push it through. If New Hampshire does nothing, they say, it stands to lose between $40 million and $50 million annually in lottery revenue and room and meals taxes to its neighbor to the...

A new gaming bill to legalize video lottery and table games and provide two $50 million licenses will try its luck in the New Hampshire House. Proponents tout the bill as a bipartisan, pro-business job creator that could prevent a drain of liquor, lottery and tourism revenue to Massachusetts, which passed gambling legislation last year. Opposition to the bill is centered more on concerns the state would be cheaply licensing a gambling monopoly than on the social implications that held up legislation in the past.

IT WAS Oscar Wilde who described a fox hunt as "the unspeakable in pursuit of the inedible. " I had a similar feeling when I saw a picture of Robert Kraft and Steve Wynn, who are planning a casino in Foxborough. The meeting of these two billionaires confirms my feeling that the real and only winners under the gambling legislation will be the already wealthy, at the expense of average casino-goers who will impoverish themselves. Beyond that, much of what goes into the "quality of life" in Massachusetts is intangible.

CONCORD, N.H. - Warning of missed opportunities and a revenue drain to Massachusetts, supporters are urging the New Hampshire House to move ahead with gambling legislation days before a critical vote. Supporters at a news conference Monday touted a bill to build four casinos across the state as an economic cure-all, using newly legalized gambling in Massachusetts as the impetus to push it through. If New Hampshire does nothing, they say, it stands to lose between $40 million and $50 million annually in lottery revenue and room and meals taxes to its neighbor to the...

By Jessica Bartlett, Town Correspondent Quincy City Councilor and Democratic State Senator John Keenan will meet with Abington and Braintree residents in two town forums this week to discuss casino gambling legislation. The legislation would authorize three casinos to be built in three areas of Massachusetts — one in western Massachusetts, and two in eastern Massachusetts in the northern and southern parts of the state. The topic has received relatively little attention thus far, but came up frequently during...

Key votes on a tribal casino proposal are fast approaching in Freetown and Lakeville, where the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah has secured an option to purchase 500 acres. The state's new gambling legislation requires a local vote on whether a community wants to host a casino operation. Freetown will cast ballots May 29, and Lakeville on June 2. The Aquinnah's target property, between exits 8 and 9 on Route 140, offers two options. The tribe could build its gambling resort on 100 acres of Freetown land on the east side of the...

The House and Senate will debate casino gambling legislation after Labor Day, according to a statement released yesterday by House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray. DeLeo had previously said he wanted to take up the issue this month. But DeLeo and Murray said in their statement that moving the debate to September will "allow for public analysis and a full debate. " For weeks, Murray, DeLeo and Governor Deval Patrick have been discussing the legislation behind closed doors, in hope of reaching agreement.

Four gambling casinos licensed to install up to 14,000 video slot machines and 420 table games would be legalized under a bill being voted on this week by the New Hampshire House. The House — which has traditionally rejected expanded gambling legislation — will vote on the bill Wednesday or Thursday. It faces long odds since Gov. John Lynch has pledged to veto it if it reaches his desk. If the House passes the bill, it would go to the Senate. The bill directs that some of the profits be used to reduce business taxes, which has made it more attractive to some in the House.

A new gaming bill to legalize video lottery and table games and provide two $50 million licenses will try its luck in the New Hampshire House. Proponents tout the bill as a bipartisan, pro-business job creator that could prevent a drain of liquor, lottery and tourism revenue to Massachusetts, which passed gambling legislation last year. Opposition to the bill is centered more on concerns the state would be cheaply licensing a gambling monopoly than on the social implications that held up legislation in the past.

IT WAS Oscar Wilde who described a fox hunt as "the unspeakable in pursuit of the inedible. " I had a similar feeling when I saw a picture of Robert Kraft and Steve Wynn, who are planning a casino in Foxborough. The meeting of these two billionaires confirms my feeling that the real and only winners under the gambling legislation will be the already wealthy, at the expense of average casino-goers who will impoverish themselves. Beyond that, much of what goes into the "quality of life" in Massachusetts is intangible.

By Jessica Bartlett, Town Correspondent Quincy City Councilor and Democratic State Senator John Keenan will meet with Abington and Braintree residents in two town forums this week to discuss casino gambling legislation. The legislation would authorize three casinos to be built in three areas of Massachusetts — one in western Massachusetts, and two in eastern Massachusetts in the northern and southern parts of the state. The topic has received relatively little attention thus far, but came up frequently during Keenan's campaign, the...