Senate gambles on casinos
The Massachusetts Senate has approved a landmark bill to license three resort-style casinos, moving the state one step closer to its most dramatic expansion of gambling in more than a generation.
The Senate voted 25-15 on Thursday to approve the bill after nearly 30 hours of debate over eight days.
The bill would allow one casino in each of three geographic zones. Supporters say the bill will create up to 15,000 permanent jobs and generate up to $355 million in annual state revenues.
The Senate bill now heads to a six-member legislative conference committee to be reconciled with the House bill, which would license just two casinos but allow 750 slot machines at each of the state's four racetracks.
Gov. Deval Patrick supports what he calls resort-style "destination casinos" but is opposed to racetracks slots.
