by Jack Ginnetti

Marlborough, MA — Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed the gaming bill on Tuesday (Nov. 22) which calls for three resort type casinos and one slot type Class 2 license for a slot parlor.

The final passage of the bill ends several years of attempts to license gaming in the Bay State.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo has been at the forefront of this measure and all but pushed for jobs and a casino in his East Boston district. This measure came within a doorstop of passing last year but time ran out on all parties and the bill went unsigned.

In addressing the media the governor said, “For me it’s all about jobs.”

Plainridge President Gary Piontkowski was elated at the news.

“It was a good day for a change,” he commented. “We are going after a Class 2 (slot machine) license. We are prepared for it.”

Piontkowski added that the track has already filed for racing dates in 2012 and they would be made public as soon as a racing calender is processed by track officials.

Several years ago, the rear half of the Plainridge downstairs structure was made ready in hopes of someday obtaining a slot license. Since then all racing outlets have been trying to stay afloat while reducing their work staff.

Suffolk Downs, which is the state’s oldest racing facility, has received backing should they be successful in obtaining a casino license. Track officials have noted that 2011 would probably be the last year of live Throughbred racing if the state didn’t pass a gaming bill this year.

Raynham Park, which conducted dog racing that ended at the start of this year, has expressed interest in making their facility a location for a gaming venture.

While a lot of work stands before an overseer-type, state casino five member commission, Tuesday’s passage of a gaming bill in a state populated with 361 cites and towns is a giant step forward for its proponents.