A push by lawmakers in the US state of Massachusetts to update the rules around locating ATMs at casinos has sparked a debate.
Lawmakers working on the law change say they are simply attempting to level the playing field between state and federally chartered banks, but casino opponents view the proposed changes as a relaxation of the current ban on ATMs at gambling facilities.
The fear of casino opponents is that easy access to ATMs will contribute to gambling addiction, but lawmakers behind the proposed change said they share the advocates' desire to keep ATMs away from gaming floors the state's new casinos, if not altogether out of the hotels and shops.
One high-ranking Senate Democrat said it would be wrong to try to ban ATMs from the hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues that are due to be a part of the resort-style casinos licensed in Springfield and Everett and so legislators are trying to strike a balance.
