Las Vegas casino operators look to Massachusetts expansion

A long-awaited legislative deal that could lead to full-scale casino gaming in Massachusetts has Wall Street buzzing over a potential growth market that has been on the horizon for several years.

Media outlets reported Wednesday that Gov. Deval Patrick and leaders of the state's House and Senate reached a tentative agreement to expand gaming in the state.

Under the deal, Massachusetts would have three stand-alone Las Vegas-style casinos and a fourth slot-machine-only casino with as many as 1,250 games.

Analysts said the news would be a boost for Nevada's slot machine makers while the Las Vegas-style casinos would draw interest from Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Caesars Entertainment Corp. The companies' leaders, Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson and Caesars Chairman Gary Loveman, have long-standing ties to Massachusetts.

Roth Capital Partners gaming analyst Todd Eilers said Massachusetts could house more than 10,000 slot machines, if all four casinos are built. Table game suppliers, such as Shuffle Master Gaming, also could benefit from the market.