Keller @ Large: What Good Has Casino Law Done?
BOSTON (CBS) - Can you believe it's almost been four years since the state law allowing casinos was signed?
Seems like a good time to ask an important question – what good is it doing?
There's one slots parlor open and a casino okayed for Springfield, except their opening has been pushed back until late 2018 because of a delayed highway project, welcome to Massachusetts. But the biggest cash cow we were promised, the Wynn Everett casino, is neck deep in litigation and politics, and there's no lifeguard in sight.
And now we hear that the southeastern regional license is down to one bidder, now that the New Bedford developer can't get their financing.
So the good news is, we have a slots parlor in Plainville open, providing jobs and revenue we need. With the nearby Rhode Island casino making a heavy marketing push, and a possible competitor in Brockton just 30 miles away, you wonder if that will hold up.
The bad news?
For all of the pro-gambling activists' talk about upscale "resort casinos" extracting upscale revenues from upscale customers, we are now looking at casinos in Springfield, Brockton and Everett; Plainville isn't exactly a haunt of the one percent either. Adults are free to make their own choices, I get that, but it would be a shame if this geography leads to painfully regressive taxation in essence.
And the worst news is that the gaming industry has tanked, while internet gambling is coming on strong.
Hey, circumstances change. That's why the law gives the Gaming Commission the power to hold off on awarding any licenses if they deem it prudent.
I don't know if "prudent" is the right adjective.
I'd say deciding to wait for better market conditions, and focusing on other ways to help struggling communities rather than dumping risky ventures on them, might merit a better word: "leadership."
Listen to Jon's commentary:
You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.