Gambling Proponents Betting on Rosy Pre-Recession Numbers

On Saturday, the Boston Globe reported that estimated casino revenues & job creation are based on the assumption that the recession is simply an "economic blip" that will be in the commonwealth's rear-view mirror by the time casinos open for business in Massachusetts.  However, Moody's Investor Services now predicts that casinos in Massachusetts might not fare as well as proponents of expanded gambling would like to think, given the recession's potentially permanent effects on consumer spending and availability of capital.

Click here for the entire article.

Click here for a related article, discussing the proposed legislation's preferential treatment of Native American tribes in casino licensing applications.

Scott Harshbarger on Radio Boston, WBUR

Click here to listen to Scott Harshbarger on Radio Boston, discussing the recently unveiled proposal to expand casino gambling in Massachusetts.

Globe Article: Many Lawmakers Kept in the Dark on the Gambling Issue

Yesterday, the Boston Globe published an article outlining the proposed bill to expand gambling in Massachusetts.  The following is a quote from the article, which can be found here:

The bill was developed behind closed doors by House and Senate leaders in consultation with Governor Deval Patrick’s staff. Few other lawmakers, even those who serve on the committee that drafted the legislation, have been included in the talks. Many said they had not seen the bill yet and were not even aware it was being released today.

Boston Herald: NY Expanded Gambling Worrisome for MA

The Boston Herald reports on the potential for expanded gambling in New York State.  CSM President Scott Harshbarger is cited in the article, noting that New York's predicament demonstrates the "inevitable pressure" states with legalized gambling are under to continually loosen gambling restrictions.

Statement of Scott Harshbarger, founder and president of Citizens for a Stronger Massachusetts

Not content with five Indian casinos and slots at nine tracks, the Governor of New York State is now considering allowing full commercial casinos into the state - a shining example of the inevitable pressures for expansion, and the culture of dependence and greed casino gambling creates. New York's example is a crystal clear and very instructive lesson for all of us in Massachusetts, including our legislators, regulators and the Patrick administration.

The experience in New York and 37 other states and around the globe proves that local leaders who claim they will - or even can - set a limit such as three casinos and one slot barn in Massachusetts are, sadly, just plain wrong. It is time for all of our elected officials to do their homework, to update outdated cost-benefit analyses and have a full, transparent debate about the pros and cons of welcoming this industry to Massachusetts before, not after, making a bad bet on our economic and cultural future.


Click here to read the full New York Times Article regarding gambling expansion in New York State.

A New Tactic to Expanding Gambling?

Click here for a Boston Globe article by Yvonne Abraham discussing the possibility of expanded gambling, and of one proponent who has proposed to put expansion to a ballot vote in 2012.

Scott Harshbarger on The Rappaport Briefing

Click here to listen to Scott Harsbarger discuss gambling in Massachusetts as well as CSM's report - Situation Critical: The Urgent Need for Independent Analysis, Regulation, and Oversight Before Massachusetts Legalizes Casinos.

Scott Harshbarger on Channel Five

Click here to see former Massachusetts Attorney General discussing the possibility of expanded casino gambling in Massachusetts