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It seems ironic that Massachusetts, the state represented by online casino crusader Barney Frank, will not be enjoying any further gambling expansion on a state level.

The story is getting old or at least very repetitive these days.  The racing industry is suffering and stark financial realities are forcing operators to either reduce their services or even close their doors.  Then operators pull together and begin lobbying the local government for additional gaming, most often in the form of slot machines.  Although some tracks have gone way beyond slot machines and managed to secure full casino action.

Unfortunately the cry for help from Massachusetts track operators seemed to have fallen on the deaf ears of the Massachusetts Senate.  Track operators hoped to operate as many as 2,500 slot machines as a means of additional revenues to support the industry.

The Senate voted no on the slot machine proposal and the rejection was issued by a sound enough margin that there were no questions as to whether senators wanted gambling expansion in their state.  The proposal was defeated by a 31 to 6 vote.  It is safe to say no slot machines are expected to appear at Massachusetts’ horse and dog racing venues and that operators are going to have to find new ways of keeping their doors open.

The slot machine proposal did of course have a handful of determined supporters that believe the addition of slot machines to racetracks will generate new tax revenues and save jobs.  One of those believers is Senator Stanley Rosenberg.

“We are very close to turning the corner here and having the final real debate, at which point we are going to have to come to grips with a whole series of policy questions,” said Senator Rosenberg.

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