Casinos could be on ballot in Revere

REVERE – The City Council has until Oct. 2 to decide if it wants to ask local voters in November if they favor or oppose casino gambling.That deadline reflects the minimum 35 days city election officials need to arrange for a printer to include the question on the Nov. 7 ballot. The last time voters weighed in on a ballot question was in 2001 when they approved a switch from a two to a four-year mayoral term.The casino question, if approved by councilors, would be non-binding, meaning it would advise city officials of local voters’ views on gambling, but not require the city to introduce casinos in Revere.It would reference Suffolk Downs but not Wonderland Greyhound Park. A University of Massachusetts study released a month ago proposed Suffolk as one of three casino sites across the state.But Wonderland President Richard Dalton thinks the dog track’s location next to public transportation helps make it a “top venue” for gambling in Massachusetts.City Solicitor Paul Capizzi has drafted proposed language for the ballot question, including pro and con positions on casinos. The proponent language suggests casino revenue “may be used for infrastructure improvements, to fund social programs, and/or offset tax increases.”The opponent section of the question reads: “The roadways in and around Suffolk Downs may be burdened with increased traffic. There is also the potential for increased crime. Legalized casinos may adversely impact those who can least afford to gamble while contributing to an increase in gambling addiction.”Rather than putting the issue to a vote, Mayor Thomas Ambrosino said it makes more sense for voters to wait for Gov. Deval Patrick and state legislators to discuss casinos.Patrick is slated to announce his views on the subject sometime next month and the Legislature will take it up in the late fall or early in 2008. Casinos have been proposed in southeastern Massachusetts.The University of Massachusetts study released a month ago estimated casinos in three locations across the state could generate $1.5 billion annually and employ 10,000 people.But League of Women Voters of Massachusetts president Diane Jeffery on Monday said a casino resort would be far more draining on the economy than it would be beneficial.Protesters waved signs that read, “Stomp the Casino” and “No casino in Massachusetts,” during a morning rally on the Statehouse steps even as members of a casino study group were scheduled to discuss gaming with Patrick.Councilors have already laid the groundwork for casinos to come to Revere by initially approving proposals to restrict gaming to Wonderland and Suffolk and to stick half of any gambling revenue Revere receives into a long-term building project account.