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The owners of Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville
are fighting hard to bring slot machines to horse racing venues in
Massachusetts. Massachusetts continues to lose gambling revenues to the
slot machines and in Connecticut. Track owners are convinced that
bringing slot machines to the race course will return those missing
gambling dollars to Massachusetts quicker than investing in full
casinos. Casinos would take several years to develop, while the tracks
could be ready for slot machines in only months.
Two Wrentham Republicans, Representative Richard
Ross and Senator Scott Brown, stand side by side with track owners in
support of bring slot machines to racing venues.
While there is a lot of support in Massachusetts for slot machines, the
voice of the people living in the community where the tracks operate has
yet to be heard. Many would like to reserve the right to veto slot
machines at racetracks in a townwide election. Legislature that would
expand gambling in this area have expressed that some of the revenues
from slot machines would be reinvested in the host communities. But
some locals do not think it will compensate for the safety and traffic
problems that the slot machines are likely to create.
These communities would not only have to welcome
slot machines but all the change that comes along with gambling
expansion, such as spinoff development. It seems only fair that locals
should have a strong say in any changes that might come to their home.
There is still much to be considered before Massachusetts brings in slot
machines.
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