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Murphy keeps close watch on Mass. casino debate

1:53 PM Wed, Feb 25, 2009 | Permalink
By Katherine Gregg

PROVIDENCE, RI -- House Speaker William J. Murphy says the change in legislative leadership in Massachusetts and the boost it gives Bay State casino promoters means "we very well could be in trouble.''

Murphy, D-West Warwick, said he is not yet ready to say whether there should be another public referendum in Rhode Island on casino gambling, after the failed 2006 bid by the Narragansett Indians and Harrah's to build a casino in his hometown.

"We are not there yet, but there has been discussion of that,'' Murphy said in a brief interview this week. "I mean it's something [that] obviously will rise to a discussion level during this term.''

Murphy was responding to comments by the current and former chairmen of the General Assembly's Lottery Oversight Commission earlier this week. Just after taking over the chairmanship of the commission, Rep. William San Bento joined his predecessor, Sen. Maryellen Goodwin, in suggesting a public referendum next year on turning Twin River and Newport Grand into full-fledged casinos.
"I would have done it yesterday, if it was my call," said San Bento, D-Pawtucket. Goodwin, D-Providence, said the outcome of such a vote would likely be different this time, as did a third member of the panel, Rep. John J. McCauley, D-Providence.

"What would change by making it a casino?" McCauley asked. "What's different from what's going on there now?"

Their concerns center on the state's heavy reliance on video-slot revenue from Twin River and Newport Grand, an anticipated $246.8 million this year alone. Today, the two gambling venues are home to more than 6,200 Lottery-provided video-slot machines and simulcast races from out of state. Twin River also has greyhound dog races several days a week, but the lion's share of their business comes from the so-called video-lottery terminals, known as VLTs.

Asked yesterday if he favors another public referendum on casino gambling, Murphy said: "Well again, it's a concern. Obviously we know now with the change of leadership in Massachusetts that maybe Massachusetts is inclined to do something.'' If they "are looking toward having a vote or bringing casino gambling to Massachusetts ... if that happens, we very well could be in trouble. We said that years ago.''

Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. has already proposed an amendment to the state Constitution to allow full-scale casino gambling at both Twin River and Newport Grand. He cites the ever-present threat that Massachusetts will approve casino gambling -- or slots at its race tracks, exacerbating Rhode Island's budget crisis by luring away Bay State gamblers who are now spending money here.

Murphy said he is monitoring the Boston newspaper daily for developments.

The Associated Press reported that Robert DeLeo, the new Massachusetts House speaker, said House lawmakers could vote on legislation to expand gambling before the end of the year.

"I really have to reach out to the members to see if there is really an appetite, but I would say hopefully this year," DeLeo was quoted as saying as he emerged from a leadership meeting with Senate President Therese Murray and Gov. Deval Patrick.

Patrick last year proposed licensing three casinos in Massachusetts, but the plan ran into stiff opposition from DeLeo's predecessor, former House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, who resigned from the powerful post under an ethics cloud.