Governor Deval Patrick is putting his substantial political muscle behind a plan that would see three massive developments which would be located in the western, southeastern and greater metropolitan Boston regions.

It’s hoped these projects will add hundreds of millions to the state’s tax rolls by keeping players in the state. Currently, nearby Connecticut is reaping the rewards of its two mega resorts – Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, the two largest casinos in the world – which bring in annual revenues of more than $1 billion.

While it’s not set in stone this plan will be a reality, it’s the clearest indication yet the state is ready to capitulate and permit legalized casino gaming. All across America many jurisdictions are taking the stance that they might as well legalize casinos or lose billions in tax dollars to the state’s that permit. There are currently more than 30 states allowing some form of casino gambling. It’s also likely that many more American states that do not allow gaming will also follow suit during the next decade.

Patrick said he would put the three licensees up for bid. A move experts said could generate hundreds of millions just from allowing companies to run casinos. That does not include the steep tax the state is sure to levy on the operations.

Currently, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council is planning to build a $1 billion project on 529 acres of land it is taking into trust in Middleborough. Other contenders looking to get in on the action are Las Vegas Sands Corporation, which operates the Venetian resorts in Las Vegas and Macau among others, and the Mohegan Tribe which already operates Mohegan Sun. The Mohegans are also looking to spend about $1 billion for a property which would include up to 4,000 slot machines, a 600-room hotel and a large retail component.

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Additionally, the Aquinnah Wampanoag Indians are now saying they will plan to open a casino if the Mashpee Wampanoags are allowed to open one.

Patrick’s plan -- while it has its share of opponents -- does have some major supporters including Senate Ways and Means Chairman Steven Panagiotakos, D-Lowell. Panagiotakos told the AP that with plans in the works for a New Hampshire casino it makes sense to keep the business in the area, particularly Boston.

"It’s absolutely essential," Panagiotakos said, noting he expects to see more support among his felloe state senators. "Even if we had one in Southeastern Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts, we would still be losing our greatest population center to New Hampshire."

According to the 2007 New England Casino Gaming Update researched by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Policy Analysis (CFPA), Massachusetts residents spent nearly $876 million in Connecticut at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino; $180 million in Rhode Island at Lincoln Park and Newport Grand; and $ 1.4 million in Maine at Hollywood Slots in Bangor (which has been open for less than two years).

Meanwhile, John O’Brien, President, Foxwoods Resort Casino, issued a pragmatic statement about the Massachusetts casino debate.

“Foxwoods was the first casino in New England and its owners, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, have long acknowledged in public statements that competition would come.  It would be premature to predict the fate of the governor’s proposal.   We continue to operate what we feel is the best gaming resort to be found anywhere,” said O’Brien. “Over the past 15 years, we have developed ourselves as North America’s preeminent resort casino destination with many compelling reasons to visit our incredible property.”

Foxwoods is currently building a new resort, MGM Grand at Foxwoods, which it hopes will increase its market share when it opens next spring. Mohegan Sun is also in the middle of an expansion set to open in 2010.

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