If Jeffrey Compton would ever be accused of promoting gambling it won’t be over blackjack, horse racing, sports betting or even video poker; my weakness and joy is election wagering. Today’s is an off-year election with only two governorships up, no senate seats, maybe the odd house seat but a host of interesting local issues – including four important casino related expansion measures on the ballot. Three are in three local Massachusetts municipalities (East Boston, Revere, Palmer) while the other is a state wide New York election to add seven casinos.
So your favorite political bookie (bet you didn’t know that you had a favorite political bookie) contacted four fellow gaming news buds and asked them their predictions in tonight’s election – losers will give $25 to the winner’s favorite charity. While I am going to keep their names and predictions private, I will share mine.
New York Statewide (Yes) – Today New Yorkers will decide whether to authorize seven casinos. Governor Cuomo wrote the measure to revive the economy and provide money for schools. Several newspaper are for it (including the New York Daily News), several others are against it (including the New York Times). My guess it that it will pass, primarily on support from New York City voters who will get the benefits (tax money) very little of any downside (there is no casino currently proposed for the city) and while the city has always respected the Times, they follow the Daily News.
Massachusetts East Boston (No), Revere (Yes) – Residents of the East Boston neighborhood and the city of Revere will decide whether to allow Suffolk Downs to build a $1 billion casino. Originally a project to be operated with Caesars Entertainment who withdrew two weeks ago over concerns from the newly formed Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Selling gaming in Boston (even East Boston) was going to be a tough go – and the Caesars’ fiasco is just too big of a log for the camel. However, Revere has always been more working class and has a stronger gambling tradition (including the old Wonderland dog track where forty years ago my friends and I would pick not the fastest greyhound, but which one they were going to let win)
Massachusetts Palmer (Yes) – today the residents of Palmer, a small community east of Springfield will decide on a casino proposed by the Mohegan Sun and quite possibly the direction of large casinos in Massachusetts. Other than voter approval of the Wynn project in Everett as well as a couple of slot parlors the state casino expansion process has been tortuous – with no signs of improvement. My guess (and I have changed that guess several times in the last few days) is based on the town’s demographics and less-than-ideal economics. And if this project is rejected by the voters of Palmer the industry should take a long look at the entire state. It may be time to say nay to the Bay!
If I win the election pool $100 will go to Noah’s Animal House in Las Vegas – a wonderful shelter established by Staci Columbo Alonso that provides on-site pet shelter and care for victims of domestic violence. And good luck to Staci with today’s opening of the Graton Resort & Casino in California.
