Massachusetts pro-casino, anti-gambling bill gains union support

Governor Patrick Deval’s proposed legislation to bring state-sponsored casinos to Massachusetts in a bid to create jobs and increase tax revenue, has garnered unprecedented support from the AFL-CIO.

The Massachusetts arm of the powerful federation of unions, comprising both construction unions which would be involved in the building of the casino, and hotel and casino worker unions, agrees with the governor that his plan to bring in casinos would add 20,000 jobs to the state.

Opponents of the bill, however, argue that those employment figures are unrealistic, and revenue estimations inflated.

Neither side has addressed the criticism that the pro-casino bill includes a rider making online gaming illegal in the state.