From the Archives: The Massachusetts Casino Saga


Photo by John Howard.

The question of whether or not to bring slot machines and casinos to Massachusetts has been a long-running political drama here in the Commonwealth for decades. But things shifted into overdrive during Governor Deval Patrick’s first term in office, when he proposed a bill legalizing three casinos in the state. That effort failed, but last year, a new version — allowing three casinos and a slots parlor — finally punched through, passing into law. Now that the race for those highly coveted casino and slots licenses is on, here’s a look back at our coverage of the issue.

The Big Gamble, by Jason Schwartz
The Mashpee Wampanoag and their leader Cedric Cromwell are in a race against time to open a casino in Massachusetts. But the question isn’t just whether the Mashpees will beat the clock. It’s whether the tribe will survive the ordeal.
December 2011

Cashed Out, by Colin Kingsbury
If allowing suckers to drop the nest egg on slot machines is how Massachusetts is going to solve its revenue problems, let’s at least have a little fun on the way to social ruin.
November 2011

Massachusetts Has a Gambling Problem, by Jason Schwartz
The speaker wants slots, the governor casinos. Why they’ll both win — and you’ll lose.
September 2009

The Smart Money on Casinos, by Jason Schwartz
After a faltering start, the big players in the state’s gambling debate are primed for front-page battles this year. What plugged-in observers will be watching for as the high-stakes fight heats up.
January 2008

The Gambling Man, by Geoffrey Gagnon
Mashpee leader Glenn Marshall jump-started the race to build a casino here — a race that powerful parties are now working to ensure he won’t win. But like his tribe itself, he’s not afraid of a good fight.
September 2007

From the Blogs
Will Foxwoods Meddle in Massachusetts?, by Jason Schwartz
January 2012

Why the Bridgewater Casino Rumor Won’t Die, by Jason Schwartz
December 2011

Casino Profits and Angry Indians
, by Jason Schwartz
December 2011

Casinos + Drunk Driving = Not Good, by Jason Schwartz
December 2011

Sheldon Adelson: Coming to Massachusetts?, by Jason Schwartz
December 2011

The Fate of the Casino in Foxborough, by Jason Schwartz
December 2011

The Massachusetts Casino Lawsuit, Explained
, by Jason Schwartz
November 2011

The Casino Bill and the Mashpee Wampanoags: Ready, set, GO!, by Jason Schwartz
November 2011

Why The Casino Bill Should Piss You Off, by Jason Schwartz
November 2011

Massachusetts Legislators Hate Happy Hour and Fun, by Patrick Doyle
November 2011

Massachusetts Casinos: Crapped Out, by Colin Kingsbury
November 2011

Casino? Casino!, by George Thrush
October 2011

Ten Reasons I Voted Against the Massachusetts Casino Bill, by Denise Provost
September 2011

Silliness Buried In the Casino Bill, by Steve Poftak
September 2011

Talk About Horsing Around on Casinos
, by Jason Schwartz
August 2011

Governor Patrick, Don’t Roll Out the Slot Parlors Just Yet, by Jason Schwartz
July 2011

The One Issue that Matters to the Gambling Debate, by Paul Kix
May 2011