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Blotter: Kennedy successors disagree on gambling
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Four Massachusetts Democratic candidates seeking election to the US Senate seat vacated by the death of Senator Edward Kennedy have divergent opinions on the issue of bringing casino gaming to the state. Alan Khazei has voiced his opposition to the legalization of casino-style gambling in Massachusetts, claiming that the practice brings severe social costs in the forms of a rise in the incidence of gambling addiction, higher crime rates and urban blight.
Although he has never held political office, Mr. Khazei has a long list of public service commitments on his resume. He is known in the Boston area as a “social entrepreneur”; he created volunteer and service groups such as CityYear and ServiceNation and has won several awards for his dedication to establishing volunteer service as a public policy priority on a national stage.
Among his three opponents, US Representative Michael Capuano has taken the most strident pro-gambling stance. Congressman Capuano, who has served five terms in the House and represents a district considered a stronghold for Democrats, stated “adults should be able to do pretty much what they want if they are not hurting others”. While the Congressman acknowledged the potential social costs involved with a casino, he believes the benefits would outweigh those problems.
Another candidate for the seat is Boston businessman Stephen Pagliuca, one of the co-owners of the NBA’s Boston Celtics. Mr. Pagliuca stated that, while casinos would bring about much-needed economic development to the state, such projects should be bundled with other attractions, such as restaurants, theaters, hotels, and other entertainment options. One of Mr. Pagliuca’s partners in the Celtics ownership group is Gary Loveman, President and CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment, the casino giant that owns Bally’s, Caesars Palace, and Imperial Palace on the Las Vegas Strip.
The final candidate, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, has voice cautious optimism about any plans for casinos in the state. She advised that lawmakers study the effect of casino gaming on nearby sites such as Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania before making any decisions. She also noted that the state should put in regulations to audit the inner workings of any potential casino concerns before any projects begin.
The Democratic primary is scheduled for 8 December, with the general election slated for 19 January 2010.
03-Nov-2009, 16:46
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