Mission Creep and Poor Timmy!

In March 2009 --
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Cahill proposed licensing three slot machine parlors, including one in southeastern Massachusetts, as a way to raise quick revenue for the financially-impaired state. They might not be located at existing tracks, under his proposal.
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...Cahill estimated Massachusetts
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could generate $2 billion to $3 billion in up-front licensing fees from slot parlors,
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plus up to $250 million annually in tax revenues.
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Timmy's figures so were extremely flawed that perennial casino cheerleader and gambling industry lackey, Clyde Barrow said:
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Cahill’s plan overestimates the amount of money that could be earned through up-front licensing fees....

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When that article appeared, along with several others that GROSSLY overstated revenues and ignored expenses and impacts, I emailed State Treasurer Cahill's Office and this is the response --

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Thank you for your correspondence regarding Treasurer Cahill’s
proposal to introduce Video Lottery Terminals in the Commonwealth. The
Treasury welcomes your feedback and appreciates your shared desire to
enhance the Massachusetts economy.
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Under the proposal, the state would enter into a Public-Private
Partnership that would lease the right to operate VLTs to the highest
qualified bidder for a span of 15 to 20 years. The leasing of these
operating rights could bring in between $2 billion and $3.3 billion in
up-front payments, as well up to $244 million annually by collecting a
27 percent tax on revenue. Further, we are looking to capture a revenue
stream currently leaving the state, and this plan would allow money
currently being spent in Connecticut or Rhode Island to remain in
Massachusetts.
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Given the ongoing economic crisis that our state and nation are faced
with, the Treasurer is convinced it is a necessary strategy that will
provide a vital revenue source for our state and will help our taxpayers
keep money in their pockets. Again, thanks for your correspondence and
your desire to help make Massachusetts stronger for our fellow
citizens.
Sincerely,
Gregory Gatsogiannis
cc. Scott Campbell

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The email can't be dismissed as a staff member speaking out of turn because Timmy was quoted in the Boston Globe during a luncheon forum at Locke Ober as saying: selling slot parlor licenses could immediately raise as much as $3.3 billion.

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Speaking at a business forum yesterday at the Seaport Hotel, Timmy said:
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State Treasurer Timothy Cahill reaffirmed his support for bringing slot machines to the state’s racetracks, despite dwindling revenues at Connecticut’s Indian casinos.
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In response to a question about expanded gambling, Cahill said the Legislature should approve
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slots at racetracks at Suffolk Downs, Wonderland Greyhound Park and Raynham Park,
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where they could later be expanded to full-scale casinos.
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Now, Timmy, Dear, Let me point out that you're the first politician honest enough to tell folks that the future plan is to expand those race tracks to full fledged casinos.

That's a No! No!

Timmy, It's supposed to be part of the "Mission Creep" of Predatory Gambling. You need to pretend that a few slot machines, like, oh! maybe 1500 or so will do to save those jobs.

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And then, when you find out that the gambling revenues don't cover the costs, you beg for more slots on the same pretext -- more revenue, more jobs, blah! blah! blah!

You know the routine!

You simply can't tell people that those few measley slot machines placed in numerous locations are going to become casinos everywhere!

And Timmy, maybe it was just an oversight, and I really hate to mention it, but you seemed to have forgotten Plainridge on your list. Now, Plainridge was losing money when it was sold and only purchased with the promise of Casino Gold in the future. How could you forget?

You did good just commenting about "declining revenues" and not mentioning that Foxwoods is imploding or those other bankruptcies.

Now, Timmy, I really hate to mention this also, but here's what the story said:
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Cahill, who is running for governor as an independent, also said when and if casinos come to the Bay State, the Massachusetts State Lottery should be privatized as a way to get an infusion of quick cash into the state’s coffers.
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“We should consider privatizing the lottery to even the playing field,” Cahill said at a business forum yesterday at the Seaport Hotel. “It would be hard for the lottery to compete against the private gambling industry that has more bells and whistles.

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“If we expand gambling, we can’t just leave the lottery as the poor step child, because revenues could fall because everyone wants to do the new thing.”

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Timmy,

You may be cute, but you need to stop inserting your foot in your mouth when you speak! You can't privatize the lottery!

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