Independent panel to oversee gambling in Massachusetts
BOSTON -- When Gov. Deval Patrick signs a new gambling bill into law, control over the three planned casinos and one slots parlor will quickly shift from state lawmakers to an as-yet-unnamed five-member commission, whose members will all make more than $100,000 a year.
Top lawmakers said they deliberately set out to give the commission as much leeway as possible to regulate the new industry.
"You have to have someone to give the authority to, to make those difficult ... decisions," said House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, a strong supporter of expanded gambling.
"I think it's best left for an independent commission to take a look at who's qualified to have one of these facilities, to make sure that the people who are operating them have not only the fiscal management to do so, but they pass all of the necessary qualifications," he added.
The law gives the commission sweeping powers to approve or deny casino licenses; inspect financial reports; hire and fire commission employees; conduct investigations; impound slot machines and other gambling equipment; issue subpoenas; act as trustees for gambling-related trust funds.
