The fate of a casino bill that even its architect and most ardent backer, Gov. Deval Patrick, concedes is likely headed for defeat could be decided quickly.

The legislative committee which held a marathon public hearing Tuesday on Patrick's plan to license three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts was expected to issue its recommendation by noon Wednesday.

Members of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies must indicate whether they favor or support the plan by then. If the committee releases the bill with a recommendation that lawmakers reject it, it could come up for a vote as early as Thursday.

Patrick acknowledged during his testimony that the plan to build three resort-style casinos is headed for likely defeat, blaming "undue pressure from House leadership."

House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi opposes the bill, saying casinos would bring a host of social ills that outweigh any economic benefits. DiMasi has pressed lawmakers to kill the bill, saying casinos would "absolutely cause human damage on a grand scale."

At the packed legislative hearing Tuesday, Patrick said he had "no illusions about the plans in the House for this legislation. I'm simply asking that an open debate begin, rather than end, today."

Source:http://www.casinonews.org/