Patrick Loses Bid to Quash Online Gambling

March 22, 2008

Governor Deval Patrick may have found some more support in his effort to bring casinos to the state of Massachusetts but by trying to outlaw online gambling at the same time he managed to earn more enemies than friends. The online gambling supporters made their position well known and fought the ban at every twist and turn.

Many say that it was the vehemence with which online gambling supporters opposed his bill that ultimately led to its downfall, others say that it was simply one more nail in the coffin. However, the online gambling supporters, led by a large and powerful group of poker players, made it clear that they would not allow Mass. to become another Washington State.

Online gambling supporters led a march this week in protest of the legislation and said that they would not allow Mass. to create a monopoly for their casinos while throwing online gamblers in jail to suit their purpose. They said that sending online gambling supporters to jail was not what the people of the state wanted, and that the Governor should know better than that.

Many said that it was the fact that he was willing to allow casinos and gambling in the state but not allow online gambling that weakened his position. Had he just said that he would not allow gambling at all he would have had a better chance of getting it passed. Experts say that had he allowed for online gambling with his casino bill, he would not have met with the resistance that he did.

Barney Frank, a proponent of online gambling, said that the governor was simply looking to “punish online gamers while inviting casino operators to set up shop.” He wanted to know why online gambling was so wrong but yet the state was willing to make money off of the casinos that he wanted to bring in.




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