Politicians in Massachusetts, US, have passed a bill authorising three new casinos to Governor Deval Patrick to sign into law.
The bill, which also permits a new slot parlour in the state, passed in a 124-30 vote in the House of Representatives and also received a majority in the Senate.
Plans to expand gaming in Massachusetts stalled earlier in the year but work between Governor Patrick and members of the legislature resulted in a new bill being tabled.
Earlier this week, the bill was amended at the last moment to include a provision that will see the state’s horse racing industry receive a greater share of the proceeds of the new casinos – a measure that threatened to derail the bill.
However, the Governor, who has openly supported the notion of expanding gaming in the state, suggested it would not be a deal-breaker and that he would be willing to sign the bill in the coming weeks.
