State rep says slots make sense

REVERE – State Rep. Robert DeLeo said the lengthy process involved in approving Gov. Deval Patrick’s casino gambling plan underscores the merits of putting slot machines in Wonderland Greyhound Park and other Massachusetts racetracks.DeLeo said Patrick’s plan to open three resort casinos across the state faces months of political wrangling and permit reviews.”It’s still a jump ball in terms of the outcome. It makes a whole lot of sense to do slots at the tracks as a precursor,” he said Friday prior to presiding over a legislative budget hearing at the Whelan School.Revere is likely to be directly impacted by any casino plan crafted in the State House.Suffolk Downs shareholder Richard Fields is making a full court press to land one of Patrick’s casinos. Suffolk estimates a local casino could generate 5,600 full-time good-paying jobs with benefits, 10,000 construction jobs, and 5,600 indirect jobs, as well as provide $1 billion in gross revenues, a large percentage of which would flow to cities and towns.Slot proponents say the machines could generate $470 million for the state and provide new jobs for Revere residents in addition to those already working at Wonderland.Patrick made his opposition to bringing slots to the tracks clear at a meeting with DeLeo a month ago. DeLeo, who is a top legislative budget crafter, said he opposes the governor’s plan to include gaming revenue in state local aid estimates for the budget year set to begin July 1.”Anyone ever in favor of gaming knows you can’t rely on gaming revenue in terms of a budget,” DeLeo said.Patrick has drawn on organized labor to build popular support for his casino plan. Municipal officials lined up behind it this week.”I am very supportive of the governor’s plan and, frankly, any effort to expand gaming revenue,” Mayor Thomas Ambrosino said.