Editorial: Mashpees start gambling invasion

Friday, September 14, 2007  

"Gov. Deval Patrick is about to publicly clarify his views on the expansion of gambling in Massachusetts. At stake is a proposal of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to construct a resort casino in the town of Middleborough.

But do not be fooled, Middleborough is just the first step of the gambling invasion that is ready to be launched. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has publicly endorsed the prospect of building a casino at the Suffolk Downs racetrack in East Boston. The owners of the Mohegan Sun casino, threatened by the expected move to legalize casino gambling in Massachusetts, are already securing land in the western part of the state to build an extension of their Connecticut resort. And another tribe, the Aquinnah Wampanoag, recently announced that they, too, will seek a license to open their own casino in Massachusetts. Other casino projects are also reportedly in the planning stages, only waiting for the nod of approval from the Statehouse and, ultimately, the governor.

We call on Gov. Patrick to oppose the expansion of gambling in Massachusetts. It is bad enough that casino gambling and slot machines are already available in other New England states, but Gov. Patrick, “Do you want to exponentially increase gambling’s social woes by inviting them into our neighborhoods?”

Casino advertisements frequently depict casino gambling as a fleeting, joyous experience amidst a wonderland of entertainment and excitement. However, what is portrayed as an occasional weekend getaway all too often becomes an uncontrollable compulsion that can lead to broken families, bankruptcy and even suicide."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Gambling invasion? No, thanks (The Boston Pilot 9/14)