Massachusetts online poker ban may lack votes

The chairman of the state house of Massachussetts’ Economic Development Committee says few members have changed their minds about a proposed casino bill that would ban online poker and gambling in the state.

Rep. Daniel Bosley will preside over a hearing on March 18 about the bill, but said he believes few members have changed their stance on the legislation. The bill would also allow licenses for three casinos in the state.

From PokerPages.com:

“There’s just a couple that have switched their vote,” Bosley was quoted saying in an article this week in the Taunton Daily Gazette.

After years of reviewing studies on the impacts of a casino, Bosley opposes the governor’s casino proposal, but he’s willing to listen to any ideas that promote good economic policy to the commonwealth- something, he says, the three resort casinos cannot deliver.

“I haven’t seen anything new that will change my mind to reverse course and change my position,” he said.

Despite his opposition to the proposed casinos, Bosley maintains he will give the governor’s plan a fair shake when it is presented next Tuesday in Committee.

“We need to be open to any information,” he said. “We’ll take an honest look at it.”

Whole thing here.

The three casinos, under the proposed legislation, would be exempt from the wording that prevents electronic transmission of wagers.