Casino opponents take one last stand

Casino opponents take one last stand
Public casino debate tomorrow

Christine Lee, 22News State House Correspondent
BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A coalition of gambling opponents are demanding Massachusetts lawmakers to oppose the state’s latest expanded gaming bill that they say has costs which far outweigh any benefits.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to publicly debate gaming legislation Wednesday. The bill has won support from the governor and legislative leaders, making passage likely. Still, opponents are making one last push on the eve of the debate to voice their concerns on the steps on the Massachusetts State House.

“We are not going to go quietly into that good night,” said United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts president Tom Larkin. “We are going to fight this thing tooth and nail from now and even if it passes.”

Opponents fear the social consequences of a casino, including addiction and predatory gambling practices that target low-income communities.

“Their philosophy is to get people who are gambling to play to extinction, which is an industry term that means get people to play until they have nothing left,” said Alison Dignam, a licensed clinical social worker and member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Both the House Speaker and Senate President told reporters that a casino bill means jobs for Massachusetts.

Opponents counter that it’s a short term solution that will ultimately harm the local economy.

“Once the construction is done, all the types of jobs that they will have are low really low level,” said Massachusetts League of Women Voters president Eva Valentine.

“Yes, there is a pump up in jobs in the short term, but when they get through with cannibalizing it’s a redistribution of jobs. You can’t take $16 billion dollars out of the economy without hurting small businesses,” said United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts president Tom Larkin. “Ultimately there will be a net job loss, I would predict.”