Mohegan Sun promotes casino in W. Mass.

Mohegan Sun promised thousands of new jobs if it's proposed casino for western Massachusetts is approved, but residents gave the idea mixed reviews over whether it would rejuvenate the area or harm its small town charm.

[Prove me wrong]

Since when is Palmer considered "western Mass"?

[Groggy]

It seems that officialdom considers anything west of 495 "Western Mass." In fact, Dave Driscoll, former Mass. DOE Chairman, once came to Marlborough to speak to a group of School Committe people and started his remarks with; "It's so good to be in the Berkshires again!" We could only assume his travelling to the edge of that 495 corridor had...disoriented him, or that someone had blindfolded him, driven him around in the limo for 2+ hours then told him he was in New Marlborough. Either way it was painfully apparent that there's a disconnect between "Official Massachusetts" and Western Mass. After all, Palmer's teams do compete for Western Mass. titles!

[SAL]

casinos?? in western MASS?? I hope you are kidding-- or stupid-- I don't want my children to even live in what a terrible place it will be-- all my money AND children will move away ASAP!

[get help]

GOOD BYE AND DO NOT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON YOUR WAY

SAL wrote:

casinos?? in western MASS?? I hope you are kidding-- or stupid-- I don't want my children to even live in what a terrible place it will be-- all my money AND children will move away ASAP!

[Parent and educator]

I am not a fan of using casinos to generate revenue. The jobs that are created are typically ow paying, and the only way taxpayers win is if there are lots of people losing. If gambling is OK and should be used to generate revenue, as well as alcohol and tobacco, why not go a step further and legalize and tax drugs that are currently illegal? I don't gamble, drink, smoke or use drugs, so I will benefit, but will society as a whole?

More importantly, how does generating money through gambling help close the growing trade deficit which is a growing problem -- and is a majot cause of the problem with our economy?

I am not morally opposed to gambling, alcohol, etc. but purely from an economic point do not see how any of these "sin taxes" do anything more than provide a band aid while the underlying issues grow worse.

[Are you Serious]

Yet again, the REAL Western Mass is ignored. How about bringing it a bit further WEST... maybe add another exit to the Turnpike and bring some real businesses into the Becket/Otis area? THAT would be stimulating to the economy! Palmer??? What the heck?

[dumbindown]

SAL wrote:

casinos?? in western MASS?? I hope you are kidding-- or stupid-- I don't want my children to even live in what a terrible place it will be-- all my money AND children will move away ASAP!

Thank the good Lord for small miracles, we have been waiting for you and your kin to be long, long gone.

[Nicole]

I say bring it on! I'm sick of driving to CT.....

[cheech and chong]

SAL wrote:

casinos?? in western MASS?? I hope you are kidding-- or stupid-- I don't want my children to even live in what a terrible place it will be-- all my money AND children will move away ASAP!

With all do respect, I find it hard to believe you have a abundance of money when you speak and write like my eight year old. Casinos help to generate a lot of money and jobs... I hope there is a casino there shortly so I can bring my wife and kids for the night!

[cheech and chong]

Are you Serious wrote:

Yet again, the REAL Western Mass is ignored. How about bringing it a bit further WEST... maybe add another exit to the Turnpike and bring some real businesses into the Becket/Otis area? THAT would be stimulating to the economy! Palmer??? What the heck?

What a great idea! Even closer to my house! All for it!

[sad berkshires]

The article didn't say Palmer was in WMass. It said Palmer previously considered having a casino. Now the casino will be considered for the possibility of WMass.

I don't know why so many people are opposed to a casino. If it's going into Springfield it won't help us much out in Berkshire County. Then again, if it's anything like Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun it may bring in some tourism. People could go to the casino and visit the "beautiful Berkshires" for a few extra days at the beginning or end of their trip.

An exit between 2 and 3 on the pike would be great but won't happen unless the population in those areas increase or something that draws many paying tourists is built there.
Who cares about "small town charm"? Just bring in some jobs.

[Farley]

People are going to gamble. Mass is always not in are backyard. feeble. I'm for it jobs baby jobs

[Voxpop]

Holyoke would be a great location. I am all for building a world class casino/hotel/spa in the real W.Mass. Jobs.Revenue.Nightlife.Tourism . These are all good things for the local economy. i am not a big gambler myself, but i have worked in casinos and realize they are are good places for people to find work and have some fun. i support the idea - but palmer is the wrong location.

[Phil Ivey WPT]

Say yes you dummies.

[Jim]

SAL wrote:

casinos?? in western MASS?? I hope you are kidding-- or stupid-- I don't want my children to even live in what a terrible place it will be-- all my money AND children will move away ASAP!

Take a break, have some fun.

[Jim]

Parent and educator wrote:

I am not a fan of using casinos to generate revenue. The jobs that are created are typically ow paying, and the only way taxpayers win is if there are lots of people losing. If gambling is OK and should be used to generate revenue, as well as alcohol and tobacco, why not go a step further and legalize and tax drugs that are currently illegal? I don't gamble, drink, smoke or use drugs, so I will benefit, but will society as a whole?
More importantly, how does generating money through gambling help close the growing trade deficit which is a growing problem -- and is a majot cause of the problem with our economy?
I am not morally opposed to gambling, alcohol, etc. but purely from an economic point do not see how any of these "sin taxes" do anything more than provide a band aid while the underlying issues grow worse.

Check out what the state lottery gives to Massachusetts.

[Shawn from Lee]

Are you Serious wrote:

Yet again, the REAL Western Mass is ignored. How about bringing it a bit further WEST... maybe add another exit to the Turnpike and bring some real businesses into the Becket/Otis area? THAT would be stimulating to the economy! Palmer??? What the heck?

I am all for it I'dd love to see it go into the becket/Otis area and there should
be an exit between the 2 towns

[YES]

I think its a great idea!! People are gonna spend their money where they want. So many of us go to Connecticut and give them our money why not keep it in Mass?!!!!!!!!!

[Parent and Educator]

Jim wrote:

<quoted text>
Check out what the state lottery gives to Massachusetts.

A lot. And I don't think gambling is a good, long term way to generate revenue whether it is run by the state, the federal government, private enterprise, or whatever. It's merely a band aid solution that comes at a cost.

[Up Too Early]

States can't tax Indian casinos, but the casinos do generate some revenue and create jobs. Of course, the unemployed and minimum wage earners can't really afford to gamble.
http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story...