BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick is rolling the dice by building $300 million in revenue from casino licensing into his budget, even though the Legislature hasn't yet passed a casino gambling bill.

NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that some lawmakers on Beacon Hill called it a bad gamble.

Patrick said his casino gambling bill could mean $800 million for the fiscal year that starts in July, but he's only counting on $300 million of that in his budget.

"This is a serious proposal. We've been assured a serious debate on it, and given the prospect of job creation and revenue creation that come from it, we expect favorable action," Patrick said.

"I don't think it's practical. I don't think it's wise, at this point, to use gambling money to try and balance the budget," said Rep. Robert DeLeo.

"The responsibility of the Legislature, with due respect, is to take up the issues," Patrick said. "It takes three of us to do this tango, and we look forward to dancing with the legislature in the months to come."

Meanwhile, Patrick is floating solo. Here's how he would spend $300 million in gambling receipts, at least on paper. In fiscal 2009, he said that he would replace depleted lottery money in local aid accounts, provide more cash for local construction projects and cut property taxes.

The governor estimates an average $200 cut in property taxes for over 400,000 households. The governor also plans on raising another $300 million by closing corporate loopholes.

"Even if you have casinos, I don't think you'll get the money in fiscal '09. Even if you have corporate tax increases, I don't think you'll most of that money in '09," said Michael Widmer, of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

The governor's staff said that when Pennsylvania approved casino gambling, it took only six months for them to collect $1 billion.