GREY2K joins fight against casinos
By Marc Larocque
Posted Oct 31, 2013
TAUNTON —
The group behind the 2008 ballot initiative banning greyhound racing in Massachusetts is now working to repeal the state gambling legislation that could bring slot machines and economic rejuvenation to Raynham Park.
Arlington-based GREY2K USA, which calls itself the largest greyhound protection organization, announced on Thursday that it now supports a campaign to stop casinos from coming to the state.
Carey Theil, executive director of GREY2K USA, said although his organization does not have an official position on casino gambling in general, the nonprofit is backing the Repeal the Casino Deal coalition now working to add a ballot question to the November 2014 election that would repeal the law legalizing three casinos and one slot casino in Massachusetts. Theil said that the reason his organization support the Repeal the Casino Deal campaign is because the proposed ballot question would “undo the backroom deal” allowing greyhound simulcast betting to continue in the state.
Raynham Park, after officially losing the right to host greyhound racing in 2010, was still allowed to provide simulcast betting on greyhound races held elsewhere. Theil said when state voters passed the ballot initiative banning greyhound racing, the intent and spirit of the law was not to support greyhound racing through simulcast betting.
“Greyhound racing is a thing of the past,” Theil said. “It’s a cruel activity that is dying all over the country. The voters have spoken. It’s decided. The only place where this issue is not decided is the backrooms up on Beacon Hill. I’m disappointed that this issue is going to have to go back before voters but we have no choice.”
Theil said his group feels for those who were economically hurt by the vote.
“We certainly have sympathy for the individuals who were affected,” Theil said. “But the fact is this was an industry that was cruel and inhumane. Voters had facts about that with info specific to the state, with sources like state records, news reports and the industry themselves.”
When asked about the announcement from GREY2K, Raynham Park spokesman Connor Yunits said,
“We have no comment.”
The Repeal the Casino group has started collecting the roughly 69,000 signatures needed to put the question on the November 2014 ballot. However, some observers say even if the group gets the needed signatures within the two-month deadline, the efforts could die in court.
The anti-casino group believes gambling is bad for the community and that it is an industry that harms families and increases crime. Casino proponents have said the gambling legislation will provide thousands of jobs, and gamblers are already spending their money in Connecticut and Rhode Island casinos.
Attorney General Martha Coakley previously ruled their ballot question unconstitutional. In her Sept. 4 decision, Coakley said applicants for a casino license — who pay an initial $400,000 fee — have “implied contracts” with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and those contracts are considered property. So a ban on casinos would be an unconstitutional taking of property.
[This is the same bogus argument that was previously tossed out. How come it seems the AG didn't oppose the ballot question until Doug Rubin became her campaign manager? How come the AG isn't investigating Sticky Finger Piontkowski? What is she hiding?]
Casino opponents have appealed Coakley’s decision, saying her opinion defies legal precedent. But their appeal to the state's Supreme Judicial Court won’t be heard until after the Nov. 20 deadline for collecting signatures.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x915439086/GREY2K-joins-fight-against-casinos
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