Gaming Law

GAMING LAW can be described as the set of rules and regulations that apply to the gaming or the gambling industry.  It is a collection of several areas of law, such as regulatory law, constitutional law, administrative law, company law, contract law, competition law, and criminal law. 
Gaming law is very complex. In the United States, it involves federal and state law considerations. All gambling requires consideration, chance, and price which all include legal terms that mucht be analyzed by the gaming lawyer.  In the United States, illegal gambling is a Federal crime if done as a business.  However, each state has its own laws regarding the regulation or prohibition on gambling. 
Casinos
CASINOS are a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities.  Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotel, restaurants, shopping centers and cruise ships and other tourist attractions.
There is much debate over whether or not the social and economic consequences of casino gambling outweigh the initial revenue that may be generated.  In the United States, many states are grappling with high unemployment and budget deficits and are now turning to legalizing casinos, often in places that are not tourist destinations. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment events, such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sporting events.   Use of the word in the past, and modern use in some countries, does not necessarily involve gambling.

MASSACHUSETTS LEGALIZES GAMBLING CASINOS

Bill H.3807

An Act establishing expanded gaming in the Commonwealth

The very purpose of the Gaming Act which is stated within the opening of the act itself is "to provide for economic investments and job creation in the Commonwealth, therefore, it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience."
Thus, in Boston on November 22, 2011, Govenor Duval Patrick signed the bill to legalize casinos in Massachusetts, clearing the way for $500 million casino resort to be built in Western Massachusetts.

The bill, was approved by the state legislature and authorizes one slot parlor and up to three casino resorts.  Approval of the new law came after nearly 20 years of debate on Beacon Hill and more than a year after a similar bill died.  The Casino resorts must include at least $500 million in investment and a hotel, according to the law. In addition to Western Massachusetts, other casino resorts are authorized for zones that include southeastern Massachusetts and the Boston area.  Massachusetts will  become the 23rd state with commercial casinos.  The leading reason for the Bill itself was for the creation of jobs in the Commonwealth in order to boost taxes for  state and local governments. Proponents have said that people in Massachusetts are spending money at casinos in neighboring states such as Connecticut and Rhode Island and Massachusetts needs to capture those dollars.  The opposition states that casinos will increase gambling addiction and crime. They said casinos will destroy small businesses in downtowns of communities where they locate.  The law calls for creating a five-member gaming commission to oversee and regulate casinos.  The Commission must be bipartisan, with no more than three members representing the same political party. The law says the commission must be appointed within 120 days.  The law would raise $280 million in licensing fees alone including $85 million for each casino license and $25 million for the license for the slot parlor. The slot parlor would be competitively bid and must have at least $125 million in capital investment. 
Through a 40 percent daily tax on gaming revenues at the slot parlor and 25 percent on the casinos, legislators have estimated the state could eventually raise between $300 million and $400 million a year.  The law calls for allocating the money from licensing and operations to more than a dozen programs or efforts including local capital projects, local aid, community colleges, developing race horses, tourism, debt reduction and manufacturing.