Pledging to spark rousing debate and rally grassroots organizations to oppose Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposal to build three resort casinos in Massachusetts, a statewide coalition opposing his plan officially entered the heated debate yesterday on the State House steps.
Though Patrick said his plan will create 20,000 jobs and generate $2 billion each year for the state’s economy, members of Casino Free Mass say casino gambling will drain revenue from local businesses.
“It’s not new revenue,” said Plympton business owner John Leschin. “It’s transference, cannibalization, if you will. A person’s recreational budget is fixed.”
League of Women Voters of Massachusetts President Diane Jeffery said casinos put an “economic drain” on local communities.
“Every time it has come up, members have studied the issue, and we came to a position against casino gambling,” Jeffery said.
Other members said though the prospect of casino gambling seems appealing for tribal towns like Middleborough, where the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is coveting its own casino, it only presents a “quick fix.”
“Casino gambling is the perfect storm for a town like [Middleborough],” said National Association of Social Workers member Louise Derry-Wells. “Many of my clients say their retirement dream is to work at Foxwoods [Resort Casino in Connecticut] and spend the money gambling at the casino. We’re facing an addiction pandemic.”
Middleborough resident Mark Belanger said he is not opposed to all gambling, just casinos, because of the devastating social effects they can have on local communities.
“Casino gambling, and especially slot machines, are engineered to cause addiction,” Belanger said.
Rich Young, president of Casinofacts.org, a website that provides information and statistics for casino opponents, said he expanded the organization from its Middleborough base to encompass the entire state to promote awareness in communities where casino gambling may come into fruition.
“As we’ve realized the costs, we’ve come to the realization that this is not just about Middleborough, but all of Massachusetts,” Young said. “The governor’s plan is not site -specific. All 351 communities are up for sale to the highest bidder.”
