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ACTION ALERT

LWVM ACTION ALERT:  URGE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO

OPPOSE “THE GOVERNOR’S CASINO PROPOSAL” –H4307

VOTE TO BE HELD SOON YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION IS NEEDED!

CALL OR EMAIL NOW!

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An Act Establishing and Regulating Resort Casinos in the Commonwealth – H4307

The League of Women Voters urges you to oppose the bill “Establishing and Regulating Resort Casinos in the Commonwealth” – H4307.

Lead Sponsor:  Governor Deval Patrick

Purpose of the Bill:  To increase revenue to the Commonwealth by establishing three resort-style casinos in the Commonwealth, with parameters for licensing and monitoring of those casinos and alleviating the social, environmental, and economic problems known to be created by such enterprises.

Current Status:  A hearing on this bill before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies is currently scheduled for March 18, 2008.

Talking Points:

l  Tribal casinos are not inevitable.  There are significant hurdles tribes must overcome to place land into trust where a tribal casino could be built.  State law then determines whether Class III gambling (slots and table games) will be allowed. Without passing this legislation Massachusetts will keep the laws in place to limit tribal casinos to Class II. Without slots and table games Indiana tribes and investors will not be developing casinos in this state. 

l  Construction jobs have been overstated.  Figures for casino employees have not been verified.  Experience with existing casinos show that loss of local small businesses unable to withstand competition will create an increase in unemployment that will certainly offset much of the proposed gain.  There is also the potential for an influx of out-of-state workers to fulfill specialized needs, whose costs are not addressed.

l  The projected revenue from these sites is thought to be overstated. They will be in competition with at least 843 casinos located across the country in more familiar resort destinations, such as California, Nevada, and Florida, as well as many resort casinos in Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe.  Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island are planning expansions to compete with the proposed casinos.

l  Money put into slot machines, estimated at $50,000 per machine, will come from current discretionary spending at restaurants, movies, and local vacation sites, as well as other purchases such as cars, clothing, and other necessities.  The governor's plan calls for 15,000 machines. 

l  The experience in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, as well as other states, has shown that casino revenues do not resolve budget problems.  They all have higher tax rates than Massachusetts and/or have had significant financial problems since the introduction of casino gambling.

l  The social and economic impact created by casinos in the selected areas are only addressed in the contiguous communities, although transportation, loss of businesses and jobs, decreased property values, gambling addictions, crime and other social ills will affect other communities in the state.

l  Three casinos located across the state will make Massachusetts the fourth largest casino state in the nation, and will put every community in the state within the 50-mile negative-impact radius.

l  Social problems are often minimized. While 5% of all gamblers (an estimated +/- 250,000 residents) become problem gamblers, this figure does not include family members, employers, and friends also negatively affected.