The Casino Debate continues across Massachusetts as lawmakers from across the commonwealth continue to look for more ways to raise revenue and prevent money going to gambling havens in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Voters in East Boston were given a chance to vote on a potential casino last week but defeated such a proposal by a 56-44 margin. Many of the residents who voted against the casino said the prospects of more crime and traffic and decreasing property values were enough to shun the idea of more money flowing into the city.
This has been a question that many people in different cities and towns have had to ponder when the question arose on a ballot. Is the prospect of more money in the municipal coffers enough to put up with the increased headaches and inconveniences that such a question can bring?
East Boston said it wasn't but now some are having second thoughts.
Shortly after defeating the casino referendum, neighboring Revere is considering putting up a casino. The earlier idea was to have a casino stretch out over both towns. Now that East Boston took itself out of the picture, Revere is considering having the casino solely within its city. East Boston residents spoke out in an article in Sunday's Boston Globe. Many residents say the casino next door will mean the same headaches they were trying to avoid but none of the benefits. Others are saying if they had known of the possibility of a casino going up in a neighboring town, they would have voted differently.
I say shame on the residents of East Boston for not knowing Revere would have planned for a casino on their own.
The Wonderland dog racing track was doomed after voters approved a ban on the sport. The ban was passed in 2008 and took effect in 2010. Since then, there have been some whispers about Revere hosting a casino. East Boston is home to Suffolk Downs, a horse racing track that many believe could benefit from the casino. Money brought in from the new games would go toward payouts from the races, increasing the winnings for those who go to "play the ponies."
Many of the residents are lamenting the idea of having more problems but not more money. East Boston casino proponents should have realized this and seized upon it when the vote came up.
Is there time for East Boston to reverse course? Maybe. It would mean circulating petitions for another vote. Getting the vote to happen and passing such a resolution before the deadline for the state background check passes will also be a monumental task. Finally, East Boston now has a former ally-turned-rival in Revere. Will Revere hold off on its new quest so East Boston can change course and become partners again. Will the commission allow for more time if these two communities decide to join forces again in pursuit of a license? There are many factors in play here. Maybe allowing both communities another chance will help lessen the burdens and increase the windfall for both. Maybe the ship has sailed for East Boston.
