Casino Watch blog: Foes back in action

By STEVE DeCOSTA

SouthCoastToday.com

After a couple of months of apparent hibernation, CasinofreeMass is making noise again.

The coalition of groups opposing Gov. Deval Patrick’s plan to open three resort casinos in the state is planning its second regional forum since it launched operations in October.

The new forum is scheduled in Andover on Feb. 6. "Why Should You Care if Casinos Come to Massachusetts?" will feature state Sen. Susan Tucker, former New Hampshire state Sen. James Rubens and representatives of The Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling.

The forum was announced on CasinofreeMass’ Web site earlier this week. It’s the first time the Web site has been changed since it was posted on Oct. 29.

While the Web site always has allowed individuals to sign up for the group's newsletter, nothing has been delivered so far. I signed up for it in early November, but still haven't received anything. (Maybe they figured out who I am and decided not to let me know what's going on.)

The group’s first and, so far, only public forum was held in New Bedford on Nov. 12. About 150 people turned out for the event, which organizers called a huge success.

Since then, however, the anti-casino forces have been largely silent, even as the governor launched a new offensive. In recent weeks, he has included casino revenue in his proposed budget for the next fiscal year, pitched his plan to highly sympathetic labor leaders and promised that his administration would lobby individual legislators.

Administration officials say they expect legislative hearings on the plan to begin in March.

The announcement of the forum lists its sponsors as CasinofreeMass and the League of Women Voters. The league was listed among the coalition’s charter members when it was launched last year.