2014 Top Stories – Voters Back Casinos

Massachusetts voters in November rejected a bid to repeal the state's Casino Law that calls for construction of three resort casinos and a slots parlor in the Commonwealth. Licenses for two casinos and the slots parlor have already been awarded.  Only the license for a Southeastern Mass. casino is still pending. - Jim Phillips

(AP) Casino gambling is coming to Massachusetts.

Voters on Tuesday rejected a ballot question that would have repealed the 2011 state law that allows for up to three regional resort casinos and a single slots parlor.

Opponents of the repeal cited the potential for thousands of jobs, economic development and enhanced tax revenue in communities where residents had voted to support casino bids.

Supporters of the ballot question doubted casinos would deliver on their economic promises, and would instead bring more crime, gambling addiction and a host of other social ills.

The vote clears the way for three projects approved by state gambling regulators to proceed: a slots parlor already under construction in Plainville and full-scale casinos planned by MGM Resorts in Springfield and Wynn Resorts in Everett.