Blowing through all the economic red lights, Massachusetts state Rep. Susan Williams Gifford (R) is putting the pedal to the metal on a bill that would create a special casino category for her district, which includes Wareham. Oh-so-coincidentally, that is where Notos Group wants to 
build a horse track and slots parlor. Never mind that the Lege pretty clearly spelled out its intent eight years ago when it authorized one slots parlor and three resort casinos, one of which remains unbuilt. Also, two different bands of Wampanoag Indians are waiting in the wings with casino projects of their own, also in the southeastern part of the state. Massachusetts wouldn’t need to authorize a fourth private-sector casino if lawmakers were to lift the $500 million investment requirement for Region C but that’s not what is being proposed.
State Sen. Marc Pacheco (D) pushed back against Gifford, calling her bill legislation that “corrupts the process” of awarding casino licenses, adding that she would be “diluting the market in that region.” He urged 
his colleagues to stay their 2011 course, saying “Before we do more, we need to see that vision actively implemented.” Wareham Town Administrator Derek Sullivan responded that Gifford would be giving the Massachusetts Gaming Commission the flexibility of choosing between a full-scale resort or something more affordable, one that would be voted upon by the Wareham citizenry. “Giving the Commission the authority to consider market conditions, community needs and viability gives them and us a much better chance for success in fulfilling the intent of the 2011 legislation and delivering long-promised jobs and economic development opportunities for Southeastern Massachusetts.”
* If you’re a Seattle hockey fan, this power play was brought to you by Muckleshoot Casino, the official gaming partner of NHL Seattle. The new bond was announced in a ceremony at the site of $930 million Key Arena. In addition to being the named sponsor of power plays, Muckleshoot will get its own luxury suite as well as advertising in the arena. Casino General Manager Conrad Granito estimates that the casino’s daily attendance of 15,000 could be boosted by as much as 20% thanks to the added visibility. Not resting on its laurels, Muckleshoot now aims to add the Seattle Seahawks as a sponsorship partner.
Jottings: MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren‘s endorsement of Joe Biden for the White House seems to have done a power of good with 
Nevada voters. Of the three candidates who have courted the Culinary Union, Biden (29%) leads Elizabeth Warren (19%) and Bernie Sanders (19%) … Big Brother could be watching Australia‘s gamblers soon. The online-casino industry wants to require would-be players to submit to a facial-recognition scan. Rah-rah UNLV Boyd School of Law fellow Anthony Cabot cheered on the move, handwaving privacy concerns with “If the patron does not want to share his or her facial characteristics or other biometrics used to verify identification, they can simply opt not to play on the site.” … A fumble recovery in the Dallas Cowboys/New York Giants tilt on Monday night blew the over-under, leaving most bettors out in the cold. Interesting that this story considers the outcome of the game superfluous … Here’s a sports bettor who took his hobby way too far. Addison Choi posted profane, Instagram death threats to athletes who let him down. Fortunately, he was afflicted with stupidity as well as rage. His umbrage earned him 18 months in the slammer … The rivalry between Popeyes and Chik-fil-A has turned deadly. A Popeyes customer in the Washington, D.C. area was stabbed to death in a dispute over cutting in line. What some people will do for a chicken sandwich … It’s another black eye for Illinois gaming regulation. Admitted felon Vincenzo Dubbino somehow got a gaming license and is now about to be tried for allegedly stealing from his employer, slot-route operator Accel Entertainment Gaming.
* It’s Election Day, your chance to stick it to The Man. Get out and vote!
