Slot Machine Manufacturer in RI is Bribing Mass. Politicians to Approve Slot Machines
          A slot machine manufacturer in Rhode Island is bribing Massachusetts politicians to approve slot machines in this state.
          One of the largest manufacturers of gambling machines in the world, GTECH, is located right over our southern border in Greenwich, Rhode Island, and is brazenly courting politicians on Beacon Hill.
          The most well known is the state treasurer, Tim Cahill, for example, took $2,500 in the last year in the form of $500 donations each from the five Vice Presidents of GTECH. He received all on the same day.
          GTECH has made a name for itself in the last few years by being implicated in bribery and corruption scandals in states across the nation.            They’ve been caught paying money for politicians to vote their way on bills that would allow GTECH to bring gambling machines into their state.   Just last year, their connection to Harriet Miers while she was overseeing the Texas Lottery Commission helped sink her nomination to the Supreme Court.
          If a current bill, which is already approved by the Senate (S2227), goes through, GTECH could make tens of millions of dollars.  It should be no surprise to anyone then, to learn that GTECH has lobbyists courting representatives on Beacon Hill, and is funneling money fast and furiously. 
          It is difficult to guess how much more money is going to legislators right now, under the names of other GTECH employees, in exchange for a positive vote on the slot machines.    Last fall, the Boston Globe reported that in the first 6 months of the year, local politicians had taken over $100,000 from lobbyists for the gambling industry.

Rally At 12:30 Today
          Today at 12:30 PM, supporters of the legislation that would allow racetracks to install slot machines on their premises will rally in front of the State House. Track employees and union members will be bussed in to add pressure to the reps to approve a current gambling proposal.  The Senate has already approved S2227 which will add up to 2,000 machines at each of the four racetracks in the state.
          The rally will be billed as a “jobs rally” and will include speeches by mayors of various cities across the state.  Included among them is Worcester Mayor Timothy Murray, a candidate for lieutenant governor, Mayor Edward "Chip" Clancy of Lynn and Mayor James Harrington of Brockton, all speaking in favor of expanded gambling in the state as a source of revenue to help their cities.
          While it is debatable how many jobs might be created or preserved by the introduction of slots, what is not being discussed is the negative effects on a community increased gambling can have.  The people most apt to gamble are the people who can least afford to.  Demographically, individuals in the lowest income bracket spend the most on the lottery and scratch tickets, while those in the highest income brackets spend the least.  Thus, state-sponsored gambling is a voluntary regressive tax.
          Over the last three years, similar bills have been rejected in both the House and the Senate with substantial margins.  While gambling hasn’t become any kinder with respect to its effects on a community, the only thing that has really changed has been the amount of money that slot machine companies have been throwing at local politician campaign coffers. 
           Slot machine proponents are confidently predicting that should the plan come to the House floor, the votes will be there to pass it.   The only saving grace at the moment is the likelihood that Gov. Mitt Romney would veto such a bill.   Gaming proponents are less confident about garnering a two thirds majority needed to overcome a gubernatorial veto. 

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