The vote was closer in Chicopee and Worcester, where citizens were asked if they would support casinos in their communities. Fifty-two percent of Worcester voters said "yes," with 48 percent voting "no." In Chicopee the vote was 51 percent in favor and 49 percent opposed the plan.
Democrat Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed legislation that would allow "up to three resort casinos" to be built in the state, including one in rural, western Massachusetts.
While the vote results on the questions are non-binding, Gov. Patrick's bill, requires that any casino proposal have the support of the local community.
 

A Local Concern

The matter is mostly a local concern. Congress does not have the power to vote on Patrick’s proposal, but the state’s 12 House and Senate members, all Democrats, may use their influence at home to influence what is expected to be a long fight on Beacon Hill over casino gambling’s future.
Congressmen Barney Frank, William Delahunt, Michael Capuano, Stephen Lynch, and James McGovern say they support casinos as a way to "create jobs and boost state revenue."
Sens. Edward Kennedy and John Kerry, who lost the presidential election in 2004 to President Bush, said while they oppose casinos, they will let state and local officials determine the fate of the issue.
"If the state approves a gambling compact, Senator Kennedy will respect that decision," said a Kennedy spokeswoman Melissa Wagoner.

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Reps. Edward Markey, John Olver, John Tierney and Richard Neal are still reviewing Patrick’s legislation.
"The process of locating a gaming facility in a community must be performed with the utmost care," said Rep. Markey.

Patrick’s proposal to license three casinos in the state has sparked heated debate on Beacon Hill, the state legislature, which must approve the final plan.

The governor forecasts that the state would generate $400 million in annual tax revenue and 20,000 permanent jobs from three resort-style casinos. Gov. Patrick said the casino could increase economic development and tourism while raising revenue for property tax relief and road and bridge repairs.
"The administration has kept the delegation and their staffs up to date on the governor’s plan and will continue to do so as the process moves forward," Patrick spokesman Kyle Sullivan said.
Rep. Frank believes casinos could generate more money for the state and bring jobs to people in places like southeastern Massachusetts who are struggling financial.

"People who want to gamble should be allowed to gamble," Rep. Frank said said.
Rep. Capuano wants to attract as many dollars from outside the state as possible. Locating a casino near the Boston Convention Center in South Boston would probably make sense, he added.

"I don’t believe we can say, ’Come to Boston to gamble.’" he said. "But we might say, ’While you’re here in Boston, here’s one more thing you can do here.’ If they do that, one of the casinos should be close to the convention center. It can be seen as something to enhance tourism.

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