Massachusetts Residents Continue To Support Gambling Expansion

Massachusetts Residents Continue To Support Gambling Expansion The debate over gambling expansion is one that has been taking place in Massachusetts over the past several years. With House Speaker Robert DeLeo offering legislation to legalize resort casinos and slots at state racetracks, the issue is again front and center.

Many polls have been conducted over the past couple of years by the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, all worded differently. The one constant, however, is that the majority of people polled are in favor of expanded gambling.

The latest poll asked residents if they were in favor of DeLeo's proposal. It is the first time that people have been asked about casino resorts and slots in the same poll question, but the results were the same. Fifty-three percent of those polled said they were in favor of the gambling expansion plan.

This comes as no surprise for those who have followed the recent history in Massachusetts in regards to casino gambling. Governor Duval Patrick was voted into office by residents when he ran on a platform heavily weighted towards gambling expansion.

Patrick's first attempt to bring casino resorts to the state were shot down last year. At the time, Salvatore DiMasi, a staunch opponent of gambling, was the House Speaker. Once DiMasi left office and DeLeo took over, the gambling talks have turned towards how to expand gambling instead of whether or not to expand.

Senate President Therese Murray is also in favor of gambling expansion. According to all three political leaders, Massachusetts would benefit greatly from the financial ramifications of bringing slots and casino resorts to the state.