Gov. Patrick Signs Casino Gambling Bill [POLL]

Massachusetts has officially bet in favor of casino gambling. Gov. Patrick signed "An Act Establishing Gaming in the Commonwealth" into law Tuesday morning at the State House.

Massachusetts' lawmakers gave the final approval last Wednesday evening to the bill legalizing casino gambling in Massachusetts, the Boston Globe reported.

The legislation was sent to Gov. Patrick's desk for his signature, which he signed Tuesday saying, "I have always believed that if done right, expanded gaming can create jobs, generate new revenue and spur economic growth in every region of the Commonwealth."

The legislation signed by the Governor allows for up to three destination resort casinos in geographically-diverse locations, along with one slots facility, competitively awarded statewide. The slots facility, which will hold up to 1,250 slot machines.

The licensing fee for each casino will be at least $85 million and capital investment, including a hotel facility, must be at least $500 million. The Commonwealth will receive 25 percent of gross gaming revenues from each casino.

The gaming legislation will create a five-member Massachusetts Gaming Commission, an independent body responsible for implementing and overseeing the gaming licensing process.

The topic of legalized casino gambling in Massachusetts has been a hot topic throughout the state, in particular, Foxborough.

In late summer of this year, a draft of zoning changes for Foxborough by a lawyer for the Kraft Group raised the idea that the Kraft family could play a role in the State's gambling plans.

A lawyer for the Kraft Group drafted zoning changes for the town that would have paved the way for casino gambling. The zoning changes were then submitted to Foxborough's Town Manager, Kevin Paicos. Paicos brought the issue to the board of selectmen and the town's planning board. The against bringing the to town meeting, specifically making a motion to "not support any zoning changes to gambling anywhere in the town of Foxborough." 

Paicos noted at the time of the board meeting that the town was being approached by a number of developers.

"They came to Foxborough. We did not go to them," said Paicos. "The casino development community considers Foxborough an ideal location for development of the northern region casino."

More recently, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, acted crafty in comments concerning a possible casino in Foxborough. 

The Boston Globe reported that when Kraft was asked about the potential for a casino on the land he owns across from Gillette Stadium, he told reporters, "I don't want to say anything."

Although the Krafts are staying mum on a possible interest in a casino, National Football League rules bar franchises from owning casinos. However, the league does not have any rules against leasing or selling land to casino operators. Any casino developer would also have to win approval in a local ballot before winning a license.

Now that gaming has been officially established in the Commonwealth, developers could come back to Foxborough with a more solid plan.