As he promised, Massachusetts House Speaker Robert Deleo filed a gaming bill Thursday in support of slots at the state’s racetracks. Racetracks throughout the country have suffered during the recession of 2008/2009. People lost their jobs in record numbers and have spent months on unemployment and struggling to get by. They were worried about covering monthly bills, and as a result cut back on all discretionary spending. That discretionary spending included gambling at racetracks. Because of this, racetracks have been hard pressed to find ways to maintain themselves, but with the drastic decine in revenue, the tracks have had to look to alterntive ways of bringing in cash.

One way a lot of casinos are trying to generate the cash they need is via slot machines. Over the years, slot machines have proven their worth and remained some of the most popular games on the casino floor. Racetracks saw the popularity and are trying to legally bring them in in an effort to bring in more visitors. Racetracks with slot machine parlors are joining together to form “racinos”. That is the new term for the hybrid location for gambling.

In Massachusetts, Deleo’s bill supports slot machines to be installed at race tracks and the construction of two casino style resorts in the Bay State which will bring about more jobs. Governor Deval Patrick has yet to speak out on the new proposal but did say he was still not in favor of slots at racetracks. The Massachusetts speaker has said all along that slots at racetracks is the immediate way to go because it will produce jobs and much needed revenue. He has said in the past that casino type resorts would take four to five years to be up and running. DeLeo’s proposal will come before legislators this year and must be voted on by the senate. The state is hoping for good news because it desperately needs additional revenue generating ways to cover its huge deficit and huge budget. Overall, slot machines are a safe way to meet wills and the proper legislation will make it a sure-fire way to continue operations.  As far as confidence goes, Deleo seems to have it. He added, “We’ll get it done.”