New Life For Casino Plan?

BOSTON -- House Speaker Sal DiMasi reacted Thursday to news that the governor's defunct casino gambling plan may have some new momentum.

NewsCenter 5's Steve Lacy reported that earlier this year, the House vote killed any chance of the governor's casino plan becoming a law this legislative session, but it appears that the bill will come up in the future.

VIDEO: New Life For Casino Plan?

"I don't think casino gambling is going away, and I think there are a lot of people that are still interested in it, obviously, from the activity that is still continuing," DiMasi said.

The new plan by Senate Republicans would resuscitate Patrick's plan to bring casinos to the Bay State. GOP senators plan on attaching the bill to legalize casinos in the state to a $28 billion spending plan.

Republican Senate minority leader, Rep. Richard Tisei reportedly plans to file the governor's casino plan as an amendment to the proposed budget.

The governor's plan called for legalized casino gambling in the state, potentially paving the way for three resort-style casinos. Recent polls show the majority of state residents are in favor of the plan.

Under the leadership of DiMasi, an outspoken opponent of casino gambling, the governor's plan was shot down when it came up for a vote in the house last March. Since the plan has to pass both houses, that vote effectively killed the plan this session.

"I have to speak to the Senate President about what we need to do to address this -- maybe not this year. If we don't address it this year, maybe next year," DiMasi said.

Some state senators are calling the expected vote on casinos a vote of conscience, putting representatives on record on the issue in case it comes up again in future sessions.