Gov. may revisit casinos

Patrick hints at a possible comeback for gambling in Massachusetts

BROOKLINE. Despite a recent high-profile defeat, legislation to legalize casino gambling in Massachusetts “may yet come back,” Gov. Deval Patrick said yesterday.

Patrick said he wasn’t basing his statement on the possible departure of House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, a gambling opponent, but a confluence of other factors.

The Democrat told a Brookline Chamber of Commerce audience that an unyielding need for property tax relief, the possibility of slot machines at the state’s racetracks and ongoing efforts by the Wampanoag Indians to build their own casino will reignite the discussions.

“There’s a lot of interest in it, and issues that die in one session don’t die a permanent death. They tend to come back over time,” the governor said afterward.

Under one scenario, Patrick said, casino gambling supporters might try to expand the slot machine bill to include the resort-style casinos proposed by the governor. Patrick projected that his plan for three casinos would generate at least $600 million in licensing fees, $400 million in annual tax revenues and 20,000 permanent jobs.

DiMasi led the effort to kill the plan. The Boston Democrat argued the revenues would be offset by social and economic costs, including lost business at traditional tourist destinations.

More recently, though, potential successors have been jockeying for position as the speaker has faced allegations of ethical lapses. DiMasi has said he’s not leaving and Patrick answered a flat “no” when asked whether his comments in Brookline were rooted in a suspicion the speaker would leave.