By Susan Danseyar
Wicked Local Newton
Posted Apr 16, 2010 @ 05:14 PM

Newton — Newton state Sen. Cynthia Creem is opposed to legislation approved by the House this week which would bring gambling to Massachusetts.

The bill will expand gambling in Massachusetts by establishing two casinos in the state and up to 750 slot machines at racetracks.

“Is this the industry we want to come to Massachusetts to stimulate the economy?” asked Creem. “I’m all for economic development but not this kind. There are serious risks when you have casinos.”

“There are risks involved such as addiction problems,” Creem said. “And this will hurt local businesses as well because people might not go to the movies or a local restaurant.”

More gambling in the state will drain money from communities, Creem said. “This will hurt local business and the lottery which funds local aid.”

In addition, she said, the state needs to set up controls for gaming. [The Legislature] has not even looked into that,” she said.

The Senate plans to wait until after Memorial Day to debate expanded gambling legislation, Senate President Therese Murray told the State House News Service. Senators also said they would start with a legislative template entirely different from the measure their colleagues approved with a veto-proof majority.

Newton resident Charles Rudnick, who is launching a primary challenge against Creem this fall is also opposed to the idea.

Rudnick said even if we consider the economic gains, it’s not worth the long-term problems to the state as a society. “This will bring additional addiction, crime and a strain on infrastructure,” he said.

“A lot of people are portraying it as a short-term solution for jobs,” he said. “But that won’t happen for a long time. It will be years before we’ll see revenue in the state.”

“It’s the wrong timing,” he said. “We’ll be going down the wrong path and then find ourselves coming out of a recession when economic recovery could be coming.”

Newton State Representatives Kay Khan and Peter Koutoujian both voted in favor of the bill last week, even though they were against to a casino bill two years ago

“The gambling bill presented many of us in the legislature with a difficult dilemma,” Khan wrote on the Newton TAB Blog. “I had voted against it in the past but the current fiscal strain that our cities, towns and state government face, has resulted in a reduction of funds needed for important services and this bill may provide a much-needed increase in local aid and Chapter 70 funds for communities who are currently experiencing cuts in their essential programs.”

Newton’s other state Representative, Ruth Balser, has been an outspoken opponent to gambling and voted no both times.

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