| Posted by: jetset at May 8, 2008, 10:21 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister | | MASSACHUSETTS CASINO BID MAY MAKE A COMEBACK Governor Deval Patrick does not give up easily.... The furore in the Massachusetts Legislature earlier this year, which ended in the defeat of a proposal by Governor Deval Patrick to introduce three large land casinos to the state to improve tax revenues, could be on the cards again according to a report in the Boston Globe this week. Online gambling observers will be watching developments closely, as the original proposal included a deeply buried clause banning online gambling in the New England state. Patrick told a Brookline Chamber of Commerce audience that he may yet resurrect the proposal, adding that he wasn't basing his statement on the possible departure of House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, a major gambling opponent, but on a confluence of other factors. The governor cited an unyielding need for property tax relief; the possibility of slot machines at the state's racetracks and ongoing efforts by the Wampanoag Indians to build their own casino, opining that... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at March 25, 2008, 1:52 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister | | IT AIN'T OVER UNTIL THE GOVERNOR SINGS (Update) Massachusetts chief ploughs ahead with $189 000 casino study despite recent House defeat The Boston Globe reports that Governor Deval Patrick is pushing forward with a $189 000 casino study, even though his plan for bringing casino-style gambling to the state is dead in the water until at least next January following a debate by the state legislature (see previous InfoPowa reports) . Responding to questions about the study, Daniel O'Connell, state economic development secretary, released a statement this week saying that his office will allow Spectrum Gaming of New Jersey to complete its work. Spectrum has spent about a month on the three-month contract, but the company has yet to bill the state for any of its work. O'Connell said the administration was sticking with the contract based on questions from lawmakers during the casino debate, which ended when the House killed Patrick's bill for three resort-style land casinos last week. The Patrick bill also contai... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at March 24, 2008, 10:55 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister | | THE BAY STATE LIKES TO GAMBLE State lost out on $233 million in tax last year The recent furore in the Massachusetts state legislature over Governor Deval Patrick's rejected proposal to launch three land resort casinos and ban online gambling has focused attention on the state and its gambling proclivities, with a recent study indicating that neighbouring states are reaping big rewards from Massachusetts players. A new study has found Massachusetts residents spent $1.1 billion at Connecticut casinos and Rhode Island slot parlours last year, generating more than $233 million in tax revenues for those states. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth found that Bay State citizens spent $846 million at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, and $195 million at Twin River and Newport Grand in Rhode Island in 2007. The fifth annual study by professor Clyde Barrow says Massachusetts residents made more than eight million visits to gambling facilities in other New England states in 2007. | | Static Link |
| Posted by: jetset at March 21, 2008, 10:15 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister | | MASS. HOUSE REJECTS CASINO PLAN (Update) Six hour debate culminates in a defeat (for now) for the Governor Already burdened with a 'not recommended' tag from the Massachusetts legislature's Joint Committee on Economic Development, a bill proposing the introduction of three resort-style land casinos in the state was effectively rejected in a House of Representatives vote this week. The proposal, put forward by Governor Deval Patrick, included a clause seeking to ban Internet gambling. After an impassioned six-hour debate, representatives voted 106-48 to send the bill to a study committee, effectively defeating the measure and ensuring it won't come back up for debate until next year at the earliest, reports Associated Press. House Speaker Sal DiMasi engineered a pivotal committee vote against the bill. After the vote, he said "big money special interests lost," while the people of Massachusetts won. Patrick predicted the casinos would have generated $400 million in annual tax revenue. Robert Haynes,... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at March 20, 2008, 10:55 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister | | MASS.STEALTH BAN HEADS FOR THE HOUSE (Update) Economic Development committee votes against land casino proposal In a 10 vs. 8 vote this week a key legislative committee in the Massachusetts legislature voted to recommend that lawmakers reject Gov. Deval Patrick's proposal to build three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts, all but dooming the bill this session. The proposal contains a 'stealth' clause seeking to ban online gambling in the state, seen by many as a protectionist move to sweeten the deal for land operators. Observers say that vote has set the stage for a predictable outcome, and that a subsequent debate and vote in the state's House of Representatives will be a formality. The Joint Committee on Economic Development rejection, which came after a four-hour delay and arm-twisting by House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, sets up a vote in the House of Representatives almost immediately. If the bill is defeated then, it cannot be brought back until next year. One committee member abstained from voting a... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at March 19, 2008, 1:48 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister | | MASS. ONLINE GAMBLING BAN SLAMMED AT RALLY Harvard Law Professor Charles Nesson and iMEGA representatives criticise online gambling ban clause in Governor's proposal The Harvard university group Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society, the Poker Players Alliance and the iMEGA Internet freedom pressure group between them marshalled a protest rally this week outside the Massachusetts legislature's offices where a debate on allowing land casinos in Massachusetts as proposed by Governor Deval Patrick was taking place. But it wasn't the land casinos that motivated the protest. Instead it was a clause tucked away in the proposal that would make online gambling in the state a banned pastime on pain of draconian penalties that was the focus for the rally....and no one was 'fessing up to its drafting. Harvard Law Professor and founder of the Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society (GPSTS) Charles Nesson criticised the proposed casino bill for making it a crime for individuals to play poker on the Internet when he add... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at March 18, 2008, 8:59 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister | | ACADEMICS TAKE A STAND ON MASS. ONLINE GAMBLING PROPOSAL Harvard law professor plans a rally this week The Global Poker Strategic Thinking Society (GPSTS), the group formed at Harvard Law School to promote poker as an educational tool (see previous InfoPowa report), is co-sponsoring a rally Tuesday at the Statehouse in Boston with the Massachusetts chapter of the Poker Players Alliance to protest the proposed criminalisation of online poker in Governor Deval Patrick's gaming bill. The group plans to demand that Governor Patrick explain who wrote the provision of the casino bill outlawing poker, which a Harvard Law Professor called "crazy and nonsensical." "I don't think filling our expensive jail cells with poker players is what Massachusetts voters had in mind when they elected Deval Patrick," said Charles Nesson, the Harvard professor who founded the GPSTS. Governor Patrick "owes the people of Massachusetts an explanation" as to how the anti-poker provision found its way into ... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at March 8, 2008, 8:28 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister | | MASS. CASINO DISPUTE LATEST (Update) Another study tabled The "Battle of the Analysts" continued this week in Boston, where state governor Deval Patrick and House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi remain locked in acrimonious dispute over the desirability of introducing 3 new billion dollar land casinos to boost revenues and employment. The latest organisation to table an estimate is the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and it seems to support many of the economic assumptions outlined by Patrick in his much challenged proposal to build three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts. In the report released Thursday, the chamber says that by 2012 the casinos would generate up to $2.3 billion in gross revenues per year, leaving the state with up to $429 million in tax revenue. The study also found the casinos would create up to 21 000 permanent jobs and up to 11 500 construction jobs, reports the Boston Globe newspaper. While Patrick has been criticised for estimating the construction jobs at 30 000, the study... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at March 5, 2008, 10:20 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister | | MASS. GOVERNOR SIDESTEPS HOUSE SPEAKER And holds meetings with tribal gambling aspirants, too The increasingly bitter feuding in the Massachusetts state legislature over Governor Deval Patrick's intention to introduce land casinos to raise state revenue levels continued as the week progressed following surveys that cast doubt on the Governor's employment predictions (see previous InfoPowa report) The issue is being following closely by online gambling observers because Governor Patrick's bill includes a clause that would seek to ban online gambling in the state, making players liable to punitive sentences of 2 years in the house of correction, a fine of $25 000, or both. Ironically, Patrick's H.4307 is pro-casino gambling legislation, yet it makes Internet gaming a crime. This week Patrick further raised the ire of his chief critic, House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, by writing directly to all the members of DiMasi's chamber. He criticised their leader for blasting his proposal to license three resort-style cas... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at March 4, 2008, 3:10 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister | | BATTLE OF THE ANALYSTS Who's statistics are right in Massachusetts land casino debate? The ongoing fierce debate for and against the building of three major land casinos in Massachusetts entered a new phase this week as rival analyst studies started to play a role. Governor Deval Patrick's projection that the introduction of the casinos would create 30 000 construction jobs in the state is the latest number to come under the microscope following a newspaper study through an independent economics specialist, with House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, an opponent of the casinos, claiming that the governor's figures are clearly losing credibility. The Speaker was basing his criticism on a study commissioned by the Boston Globe newspaper comparing Patrick's assumptions with other New England casinos and an industry standard. The newspaper reported that Gus Faucher, director of macroeconomics for Moody's Economy.com said building three casinos at a cost of $1 billion each in Massachusetts would create a total of 4 000 ... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at January 16, 2008, 7:25 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
MASSACHUSETTS CASINO PROGRAM RE-ENERGISED
Governor Deval Patrick hits the ground running as 2008 opens
Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick is re-energising his controversial campaign to obtain legislative support for three land casinos for the state. Online gamblers are perturbed by a buried clause in the proposed legislation that seeks to ban online gambling in what is seen as a protectionist measure for the proposed new land gambling enues.
This week Governor Patrick was ramping up efforts to pass his casino gambling bill, appealing to labour unions, mayors and other would-be beneficiaries to pressure state lawmakers, and hoping election year politics will help the cause, reports the Boston Globe.
The Democratic governor held strategy sessions with his top advisers in the first days of the new year, leading to the planning of several events around the state.
"Everyone is energized," said Rep. Brian Wallace, a Boston Democrat who is a key Pat... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at December 26, 2007, 3:20 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
SELECTIVE MORALITY IN MASSACHUSETTS
Ban online gambling, but expand state lotto sales and launch land casinos
Network World took a swipe at the selective and hypocritical morality of Massachusetts politicians this week with an op-ed article reporting on the intended expansion of state lottery outlets to the doughnut-and-coffee shop sector.
"You can't play online poker, but go ahead and gamble in Dunkin' Donuts," reads the headline on the piece, which summarises Governor Deval Patrick's attempts to introduce three land casino operations to the state whilst banning any possibility of competition from online gambling. Meanwhile, state lottery officials are looking for bigger and better ways to increase lottery sales.
The Herald story reports that although the plan is in its preliminary stages, state lottery officials have confirmed they have already spoken to Dunkin’ Donuts and are drawing closer to a deal with CVS, which has begun selling scratch ticke... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at December 16, 2007, 8:03 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
MASSACHUSETTS GAMBLING BILL DEBATE NEXT WEEK
Governor Deval Patrick will attempt to persuade state politicians to accept casino plan
Controversial state legislative proposals to license and tax casinos in Massachusetts, including a buried protectionist clause to outlaw online gambling, are to be extensively debated by lawmakers this week.
Governor Deval Patrick and Mayor Thomas M. Menino, as well as several casino executives, are expected to headline a hearing at the State House on the financial impact of the governor's casino proposal. The hearing will be the highest-profile to date on expanded gambling since the governor unveiled his proposal to license three casinos in September, reports the Boston Globe.
"The administration expects to be there in full force," said Kyle Sullivan, the governor's press secretary.
Also expected at the hearing are casino moguls Gary Loveman, the chief executive officer of Harrah's Entertainment, and Sheldon Adel... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at November 15, 2007, 4:54 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
MASSACHUSETTS BILL CONTINUES TO ATTRACT FLAK
Governor's attempt to expand land gambling could stumble on Internet banning clause
The row over Massachusett governor Deval Patrick's attempt to ban online gaming whilst promoting land gambling expansion in the Bay state continued to make mainstream headlines across the United States yesterday.
The widely read daily Boston Magazine typified much of the comment when it declared it was still trying to figure out "...what the hell the governor was thinking."
The op-ed article continued: "Making it legal to play poker in buildings while making it illegal to play poker on computer screens, is beyond hypocritical, it just sounds stupid."
The magazine goes on to examine a scenario where land casino operators are made "sole overlords" of Massachusetts gambling as a means of generating bigger revenues for the state, and associates the attempted ban on Internet gaming with eliminating fair... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at November 14, 2007, 7:23 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
DEVAL BILL CRITICISED BY iMEGA (Update)
Internet gambling ban "another unconstitutional infringement of Americans' digital rights."
The feisty Internet Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA) has joined the growing number of critical oices against a bid to ban online gambling on pain of severe penalties in the state of Massachusetts (see previous InfoPowa reports).
The proposed legislation, which is ironically contained within a bill that seeks to expand land casino gambling in the eastern state, has been submitted by Massachusetts governor Patrick Deval but has come in for heavy flak and extensive media coverage centred on its hypocrisy and felony level penalties. The proposal will not be oted on until 2008, according to political observers.
Edward Leyden, President of iMEGA suggests that the governor holds fire until the results of iMEGA's clash with the Department of Justice over the constitutional legality of UIGEA are available.
<... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: jetset at November 13, 2007, 7:55 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
STEALTH CLAUSE ON INTERNET GAMBLING INCLUDES HEAVY FINES (Update)
Echoes of Washington State in proposed draconian penalties for Massachusetts online gambling
If Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has his way, online gamblers in the state could face jail terms of up to two years and $25 000 fines, reports the Boston Globe, which has examined the governor's latest legislative proposals in depth.
The Boston newspaper has carried incisive reportage on the bill, which seeks to expand land gambling in the state with new casinos, but includes a hypocrisy ridden and deeply buried clause that would ban online gambling and follow the Washington State example by making it a C class felony.
Patrick's proposed legislation has evoked criticism from a number of other Massachusetts politicos, including fellow Democrat and high profile pro-online gambling champion Representative Barney Frank.
Frank, who has launched legislation to regulate and license online gambling... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: BingoT at November 11, 2007, 4:40 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
For some strange reason is.
Foxwoods
Mohegan Sun
Twin River But this one is open from 9am to 2pm
Do you know how many Buses from Mass go to all three daily LOTS
Mass has to step up to the plate and get some of that cabbage.And I don't blame them one bit.
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| Posted by: silkprint at November 11, 2007, 4:31 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
I know that the people who in the past screamed NOT to have casinos in Mass are now changing their tune for some strange reason and saying it will be good for shutins?[ would'NT ONLINE playing be better for them ] I know how I will ote . I would rather gamble online that have casinos here in Mass run by Massachusetts. We know the chances of winning on their slots will be harder than hell anyway . Just look at our taxes ! It does amaze me though that they hate online gambling so much but if you walk into any convienience store here there are over 80 instant scratch tickets for sale .
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| Posted by: BingoT at November 11, 2007, 3:53 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
See You went with the wrong person.
You go with me we are talking another story.
Yes the one in Palmer, MA is going to be close to a place I went to as a kid lol The Magic Lantern What a sleaze I was lol.
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| Posted by: just play at November 11, 2007, 3:46 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
Quote: Originally Posted by BingoT
The great Town of Palmer, MA is one of them I heard.
That was one place I use to go to the bars.
Great Town
Palmer is kind of close to me. At least there will be one in this area. Not that I will go, lol, I went to Foxwoods once and didn't like it. But then again I was with a person I didn't like. Hahahahahaha
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| Posted by: just play at November 11, 2007, 3:44 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
Quote: Originally Posted by jetset
And therein lies the rampant hypocrisy of the proposal - try to expand land gambling, and then insert a pretty much hidden clause banning its (potential) online gambling competition.
The more I see of politicians like this, the less I like 'em! Everywhere!
The more and more I think of this, the more and more I get angry.
It's like they are taking your paycheck and telling you what to spend your money on.
Okay ma'am, today you can spend $100 on groceries, you have to pay your phone bill and electric bill, you cannot use your left over money for yourself to enjoy, because if you do, you will find yourself in jail. Unless of course you want to drive down to our new and wonderful casino, then I will permit you to use your left over money.
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| Posted by: just play at November 11, 2007, 3:38 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
Quote: Originally Posted by SlotsWizard
Hence the nickname "Cadillac Man" that I gave him (the link to an article about that debacle is in my post above).
I wish I knew.
Just three actually. One for the Worcester and westward region (which is a pretty big region to only have 1 casino, if you ask me); another for north of Boston, and another closer to Rhode Island, if I remember correctly.
I thought there was supposed to be one semi close to me? Unless the north of Boston one is supposed to be the one, because the other two aren't close. I am near Springfield.
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| Posted by: lots0 at November 11, 2007, 12:03 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
For some "family Values" conservatives, online gambling seems to be akin to Weapons of Mass Destruction.
But this is just political slime.
Getting your buddies land based casino all set up and legal and at the same time reducing the land based casinos competition by outlawing online casinos.
I wonder how much Patrick and his family was going to get for this "service" to the land based casinos...
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| Posted by: jetset at November 11, 2007, 6:00 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
Quote: Originally Posted by just play
I'm from Mass. and don't like Deval at all. I think there was a story on him spending a lot of tax payers money on himself.
What is the big deal with online gambling?
Mass. is supposed to be opening 4 new casinos I believe.
And therein lies the rampant hypocrisy of the proposal - try to expand land gambling, and then insert a pretty much hidden clause banning its (potential) online gambling competition.
The more I see of politicians like this, the less I like 'em! Everywhere!
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| Posted by: Mousey at November 11, 2007, 3:12 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
Quote: Originally Posted by just play
I'm from Mass. and don't like Deval at all. I think there was a story on him spending a lot of tax payers money on himself.
What is the big deal with online gambling?
Mass. is supposed to be opening 4 new casinos I believe.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas..._patrick_bill/
Quote:
"If you were cynical about it, you'd think that they're trying to set up a monopoly for the casinos," said David G. Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
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| Posted by: SlotsWizard at November 11, 2007, 2:13 am | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
Quote: Originally Posted by just play
I'm from Mass. and don't like Deval at all. I think there was a story on him spending a lot of tax payers money on himself.
Hence the nickname "Cadillac Man" that I gave him (the link to an article about that debacle is in my post above).
Quote: Originally Posted by just play
What is the big deal with online gambling?
I wish I knew.
Quote: Originally Posted by just play
Mass. is supposed to be opening 4 new casinos I believe.
Just three actually. One for the Worcester and westward region (which is a pretty big region to only have 1 casino, if you ask me); another for north of Boston, and another closer to Rhode Island, if I remember correctly.
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| Posted by: just play at November 10, 2007, 4:14 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
I'm from Mass. and don't like Deval at all. I think there was a story on him spending a lot of tax payers money on himself.
What is the big deal with online gambling?
Mass. is supposed to be opening 4 new casinos I believe.
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| Posted by: nielsenj at November 10, 2007, 3:20 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
I thought American legislators were supposed to stop attaching important bills to other bills, but this practice seems to continue. No matter what anyone may think of online casino gambling important laws should not be hidden away like this. It is morally wrong and it is also a democratic problem if such as practice continues.
Boston Globe today runs a follow up story including comments from Barney Frank: http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas...p1=MEWell_Pos4
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| Posted by: SlotsWizard at November 8, 2007, 8:17 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
More opinions and stuff in this thread.
We have been a pioneering state in many different areas. If anything, we should be the first state to regulate and legalize online gambling. Instead, Cadillac Man wants us to join Washington and Louisiana's fight against it.
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| Posted by: jetset at November 8, 2007, 7:56 pm | | Topic: Massachusetts stealth attack... Forum: Casino Meister |
STEALTH ATTACK ON INTERNET GAMBLING
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick includes anti-online gambling clause in land casino bill
Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts was caught out by the Poker Players' Alliance in a little sleight of political hand this week when he proposed a bill to allow resort-style casinos into the state, but included a rather hypocritical clause to ban Internet gambling.
The legislator now faces a growing outcry from online gamblers against his "Act Establishing and Regulating Resort Casinos in the Commonwealth" - specifically a clause in the 28 page proposal which reads:
"Any person who knowingly transmits or receives a wager of any type by any telecommunication device, including telephone, cellular phone, Internet, local area network, including wireless local networks, or any other similar device or equipment or other medium of communication, or knowingly installs or maintains said device or equipment for the transmissi... | | Read Entire Entry |
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