Massachusetts’ House Speaker DeLeo has long been a proponent of bringing slot machines to race tracks throughout the state. He recognizes that slots gaming has a huge power right now. In a survey done a few months ago, Las Vegas operators realized that though they believed their table games to be the big money makers, it was actually their slots games that were bringing in the biggest revenue dollars. For example, a good table game can bring in $10,000 twice a week. Upon first inspection it may seem that the table is a top-dollar revenue builder and casino operators were putting a lot of their focus and energy into the game. After the study though, things were truly brought to light. Sure the casinos were operating a few big-dollar tables, but slots games were bringing in twice as much consistently. Consider that if a casino had one-hundred slots games bringing in on average $0.50 per spin at a rate of 100 spins per hour. That fleet of one-hundred machines are bringing in on average $5,000 per hour. Initially it may seem that they are bringing in just fifty-cents or a dollar here and there, but when you add it all up, it quickly becomes apparent how much the games bring in. Plus they are only growing in popularity and that is pushing their value to the casino gaming market up that much quicker. You are going to love the games and so do millions of other wagerers for their own reasons.

This is a fact that is not beyond DeLeo. He sees the dying racing market and has been trying to use the power of slots games to revive it. It could be because of his personal investment of the issue though and critics are citing that as his main push. His father was an employee for years of Suffolk Downs and two of the biggest race tracks are currently in DeLeo’s district. This could make for a good reason he is pushing for the changes and some anti-slots and anti-gambling activists are calling him out for a vested interest in the changes. He may have to take a step back if he cannot consistently prove that bringing slots gaming to the race tracks are a state-wide benefit and not just for his own benefit.

Residents in Massachusetts are wondering what is happening with slot machines in the state. It’s been a long standing debate within the state whether or not to allow slots gambling in or not. Part of the issue is that legislators don’t know what is going on so they can’t communicate to the voting public what the status of the games is. Governor Deval Patrick  and the House Speaker Robert A DeLeo have been going at it regarding the issue for months now. Each one offered his own opinion on what to do, and no resolution is in sight.

Governor Deval Patrick is concerned with the effects he believes slot machines will have on their residents. He is stating that slot machines will bring in crime, corruption and addiction. He also cites that without the proper contingency plans to handle legalizing and regulating slots gambling, the state is sure to fall into hefty problems. On the other hand, Patrick says that he is in support of bringing casino gambling to the state, but he wants to know the consequences first. He wants the slot machines to be brought in only after there is a thorough review of the potential problems and how to solve them is compiles. Patrick seems to have a focus on creating more of a solid plan before going through with the move. He has also said that many legislators and citizens are too focused on the potential millions of dollars that have come into other states and counties as a result. Though the money is an advantage, it isn’t a sure-thing. No one knows what exactly slots will bring in terms of revenue and projections are not always accurate. Relying on them is the most foolish move the state legislators can make.

DeLeo believes that the state needs to begin with slot machines and then make the “natural progression” to table games and big time casinos. He says that you have to have slot machines at the tracks because they are basically the cornerstone of gambling. DeLeo is trying to push forward legislation that would legalize slot machines at all of the state’s four racetracks.

The question of gambling’s legalization once again, comes down to budgets. House Speaker Robert DeLeo of Winthrop, told the media that emergency cuts of anywhere to $500 million to $1 billion may be needed to manage this year’s budget crisis.  DeLeo confirmed that in January he will be signing a bill that legalizes casinos and the bill will most likely include slot machine parlors to be set up in Massachusetts’s horse and dog racetracks. There will be an immediate push for slot machine parlors because they will hopefully provide instant state revenues, whereas casinos may take some time to start running at full capacity.

The bill itself is still somewhat vague in policy. Although it does state the legalization of gambling and casinos will be brought to the forefront, it doesn’t touch on specifics. Things such as how many casinos may be decided upon, but where to place them is still unknown. In front of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce DeLeo stated, “I don’t think there will be a question as to whether there will be more cuts. The question will be how much.” It’s this inevitable budget cut that is pushing for the legalization of gambling within the state.

The first round of budget cuts are scheduled to occur as soon as possible. This includes emergency funding and reductions in local aid. He stated the state is trying to do all it can to protect local aid, but they may have no choice but to tap into the fund.  DeLeo added, “The slots are a more immediate form of revenue. Casinos are more long term. The first thing out of the box could very well be slots, followed by casinos down the road.”

Governor Deval Patrick filed a bill last year that would approve three new casino resorts to be built, but was in opposition to slot machines being installed at race tracks. He can no longer debate the necessity of added revenue or the immediacy of slots. Although casinos could be the answer the state needs, it isn’t something that can be up and running in a few months. A full-fledged casino system would take years to complete. On the other hand, slot parlors installed in racetracks would take a few months to get into place.