MA, 3 casinos, and a slots parlor

[booyah D]

Governor Patrick signed the bill to legalize casinos in MA this week. I'm interested in reading people's thoughts on this.

I live in far western MA, and it still seems like the closest casino would be around an hour away. A ton of people here are in an uproar about how a casino will hurt the surrounding community more than help it. Usually, I have an easy time picking sides and fortifying my argument (whether right or wrong). This one's a head scratcher for me though. I honestly think both sides have excellent points, and since I've never lived within 2 hours of a casino, I have nothing to base either side on.

So, wondering your thoughts: a good thing or a bad thing for the state?

[JM]

They said the same thing about foxwoods and mohegan yet they've been around for 15+ years now and I don't see any of the crime wave or desolation they predicted for the areas around the casinos. in fact, they seem like quite nice little towns all around there.

That being said, this plan won't work. There's no way we can support 3 casinos AND a slots parlor here. Its idiotic. The 2 casinos in CT are both hurting right now and the slots parlor known as Twin River in RI would have gone under several times if the state didn't bail them out. I wrote to my legislators and told them my concerns with this plan but who knows if they even read it. I think one casino centrally located would do well. They could catch the traffic headed down south from our state as well as NH/ME and maybe some VT too if they position it right and develop it well. If they do all 3 and a slots parlor, they will all suck and fail.

[ellased]

any casino is good especially in a volatile economy. that way there are more chips that hit the CT market!

[bergs]

I think Foxwoods and Mohegan will suffer when the first MA casino opens. Over half of the players at any poker table in Foxwoods or Mohegan are from MA.

[robinnh]

Do we know where they are going?

[JM]

They will definitely suffer IF they are smart enough to add a poker room and run it well.

Supposed to be one in eastern, central and western mass. Last I heard there were places like Fall River and Marlboro being discussed.

[MHDMalaka]

Originally Posted by JM

They will definitely suffer IF they are smart enough to add a poker room and run it well.

Supposed to be one in eastern, central and western mass. Last I heard there were places like Fall River and Marlboro being discussed.

I've heard Palmer as well.

[booyah D]

I haven't read anything definite about where they may be going yet, but it seems like a lot of companies are looking at different spots. Nothing as far west as where I live (Berkshire county) anymore but apparently there was preliminary inquiries here, because the debate was hardcore for a while. Holyoke and Springfield now though.

JM nailed it though. Three casinos? Why? Especially if Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun are struggling.

I am definitely reassured about JM's point that the critics said the same thing before the CT casinos opened and the towns are still nice because, honestly, I pegged our county as the likeliest candidate after the Boston area. Plop one down in Pittsfield and you have the folks from the Albany and Springfield areas an hour(ish) away. We're apparently off-target now, but to put one in the Springfield area AND one in the Boston area seems kinda pointless with the CT casinos. And then to add a third... Interesting stuff going down in MA in the next couple of years no matter what though.

[legend]

you guys are forgetting one very important factor. 90% of people in Mass are degenerate gamblers. I would as soon fly to vegas as drive 3 hours to Foxwoods. if i had a casino a half hour away, i'd be there all the time. There are many more like me. New Bej and Wusstah are perfect spots....maybe sailsbury beech for another.

[JM]

ooh that last one will piss off the NH folks who are dragging their feet even worse on this subject. You'd think the live free or die state would have slapped up a casino before CT did.