HOLYOKE - Robert A. DeLeo, state House of Representatives speaker, promised that there will be an agreement bringing casino gambling to Massachusetts, but was short on details Friday during a speech to the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce.
DeLeo, a Democrat from Winthrop, passed members of construction unions holding signs urging a casino deal on his way to the luncheon at The Log
But DeLeo only got a smattering of applause from the 200-or-so chamber members in attendance when he broached the subject of casino gambling from the podium, perhaps an indication of just how controversial the topic continues to be.
"I think we got it to the five-yard-line the last time," DeLeo told reporters. "I think we made a mistake in the last session by starting to work on the issue too late. Now we have had more time to work on it. We'll get it done."
Legislators approved a bill in the waning days of the last legislative session that included a resort-style casino for Western Massachusetts. But that bill died amid accusations and blame. Gov. Deval L. Patrick rejected last year's bill because it would not provide for competitive bidding for slot machines at race tracks. DeLeo has such tracks in his district.
"I have had talks with the governor and Senate President (Therese) Murray," DeLeo said. "Those talks will continue."
But DeLeo did not have a timetable for those discussions.
Joseph F. Wagner, D-Chicopee, said it is easier to get a bill passed now, in a non-election year, than it will be in 2012. Wagner is chairman of the House Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology. Casino gambling falls into his committee.
"The issue is too controversial and complicated to come up when members are worried about re-election," Wagner said.
But Wagner said there are plenty of another issues on Beacon Hill that could sidetrack casino gambling including health care reform and a state budget that will be harder to balance now that the federal stimulus has ended.
"I wouldn't say that I'm confident," Wagner said. "But I am hopeful. It's going to take a lot more compromise with us, the Senate and the governor."
DeLeo was asked if any new bill would guarantee a resort-style casino for Western Massachusetts and he said only that it is a possibility. Another possibility would involve having regions of the state bid against each other for casinos.
Jim Kinney can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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