HOLYOKE - Massachusetts House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo says he's hopeful an agreement can be reached to break a deadlock with Gov. Deval L. Patrick and legalize casinos next year.
DeLeo, a Winthrop Democrat, made the comments while attending a campaign fund-raiser here for him and organized by former House Speaker David M. Bartley, a consultant to a group interested in building a casino in
DeLeo, speaking outside a banquet room at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House on Tuesday night, reiterated that a casino bill will be on his agenda for next year because the state needs the jobs a casino would produce.
The governor this year refused to sign a casino bill because it included two licenses for slots at the tracks.
DeLeo, who has the Suffolk Downs horse track in his district, said that if slot machines go anywhere, his priority remains that they be approved for race tracks in the eastern part of the state. But he also said he is open to a new proposal by the group that wants a casino for Holyoke, Paper City Development.
The Paper City proposal for a compromise suggests the state have up to two temporary slot parlors that could raise revenues and create jobs before casino resorts are built.
"That's something we can talk about," DeLeo told The Republican. "I think everything is on the table."
Twice in the past week, DeLeo has talked up casinos. During an appearance on a Boston radio station last week, DeLeo said he will have more time next year to negotiate with the governor and the Senate president and that he is open to compromise on casinos.
In another sign that casinos are heating up again, officials with the Mohegan Sun are inviting residents and business leaders to a "holiday open house" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at its office at 1426 Main St. in Palmer. In a release, the Mohegan Sun officials said that they will discuss recent updates to its plan for a world-class destination resort casino in Palmer.
As for Holyoke's chances of getting a casino, DeLeo wouldn't commit beyond saying Western Massachusetts would be in line to get one if a three-resort-casino plan is what the state approves.
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