Racetrack owners renew push for slots

REVERE – Racetrack owners Tuesday sought to reignite the debate over bringing slot machines to their facilities by claiming slots could generate $9.5 million in additional state dollars for Lynn alone.They want state legislators to approve placing 2,000 slots at each of Massachusetts’ four tracks, including Wonderland Greyhound Park and Suffolk Downs, claiming tracks can launch slot operations in 90 days.”This is our money, and it needs to stay here in Massachusetts,” Wonderland President Richard Dalton said, adding, “Can we really afford to keep building schools, paving roads and paying for services in Rhode Island and Connecticut? It doesn’t make any sense.”Dalton and fellow track owners claim state treasurer’s estimate of slot revenue translates into $1.5 million in additional local aid to Saugus; $3.1 million to Peabody, and $760,000 to Marblehead.Massachusetts House Ways and Means Chairman Robert DeLeo and other North Shore legislators have made it clear the tracks’ survival must be included in any plan to widen gambling in the state. But DeLeo last week said the timetable for the House reconsidering slots has yet to be set.The Legislature has shot down past proposals to bring slots to the tracks and it torpedoed Gov. Deval Patrick’s plan earlier this year to open four resort casinos in Massachusetts.The track owners’ renewed push for slots coincides with the final weeks of the annual legislative spending debate. Aid levels are not expected to rise above levels set last July for Lynn and other communities.Lynn and surrounding cities and towns depend on state tax dollars to supplement local tax revenue spent on schools, public safety and other expenses.”If you are tired of tax hikes, override votes and cuts in school, police, fire and other town services your state representative needs to vote “yes” on this crucial issue this month,” Dalton said.