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By Natalie Tolomeo -WSHM

Many across the Bay State are optimistic that casinos will be coming eventually…and especially here in Western Mass with two casino spots on the radar in Holyoke and Palmer.

A crowd of casino supporters lined Easthampton Road in Holyoke on Friday to welcome Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, an advocate to legalizing gambling.

“We’re hoping to have this casino in our area so we can have our jobs and keep working,” says Greg Lindscott of Local Labor Union 596.

Local labor unions, residents, business owners and even firefighters all want Holyoke to have a fair wager if casinos are passed.

“We’ve got to be optimistic, we have to hope it happens,” says Holyoke Fire Lieutenant Tom Paquin. Paquin was representing Local Union 1639.

If and when the state legalizes casino gambling, not only will it bring thousands of jobs to the Bay State, but supporters say it will also stimulate the local economies surrounding the casino.

“I think we need the economic development,” says attorney Marty Dunn. “We have a high unemployment rate in the city of Holyoke and a high number of people out of work.”
Speaker DeLeo hopes to put some of those people to work at casinos, if the odds go in his favor.

“I think that it’s going to require some discussion between the Senate President and myself and the Governor.”

Speaker DeLeo joined State Legislatures, Republican Representatives Donald Humason of Westfield and Southwick’s Nick Boldyga at lunch Friday, but they also are on board for casinos.

“I don’t view them as the end all, be all,” says Humason, “but I do view them as a way of keeping business in this state that currently goes to Connecticut.”

“It’s going to take a lot of work, but it’s something we should definitely do and work across the aisle to accomplish,” Boldyga says.

Speaker DeLeo didn’t discuss the status of the current casino legislation in detail but he did say he thinks there’s a better chance of passing it this year than there was last session.