Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick’s sweeping proposal to legalize resort casinos now appears headed for defeat, with a powerful state lawmaker lining up against it. The bill’s impending demise comes after months of debate that had drawn the interest of some of the casino industry’s top players.

Massachusetts racetrack owners are preparing a major State House push to win a green light to roll out thousands of slot machines. The campaign comes barely three months after state lawmakers shot down a sweeping proposal by Governor Deval Patrick to legalise a trio of resort casinos.

A major legislative battle over expanded gambling is shaping up in Massachusetts, with House Speaker Sal DiMasi signaling serious reservations with a proposal to legalize resort-style casinos. Nevertheless, the House speaker’s critique comes amid signs that support for expanded gambling in the state is growing, both among lawmakers and the general public.

Pro-gambling lawmakers in Massachusetts have launched another drive to legalise slot machines and casinos in the New England state. Their task has been made easier by the actions of embattled House Speaker Sal DiMasi, the state’s leading gambling opponent, who this weekend announced he would retire from the post he has held for four years.

In a surprising shift, the top casino foe in Massachusetts is now calling for a statewide vote this fall on the issue. House Speaker Sal DiMasi’s proposal is expected to revive the debate in the Bay State, one of the last major US states without casinos, over expanded gambling.

Massachusetts political leaders have begun hammering out a deal that could legalise slot machine and casino gambling in the key New England state. The discussions highlight the dramatic political shift in the Bay State in the wake of the resignation of the state’s top gambling foe, former House Speaker Sal DiMasi.

A hotly contested proposal to legalize resort casinos in Massachusetts has mobilized groups on both sides of the issue, with local political leaders and business executives squaring off against religious and social activist groups. The election-style campaigning comes as Gov. Deval Patrick prepares to make a major State House push this spring in a bid to win passage of his casino plan.

Massachusetts appears poised to legalise a mix of racinos and casinos as the key New England state prepares to resume its long-running debate over expanded gambling.

A new report suggests public support for expanded gambling in Massachusetts remains high and may even be gaining ground, despite the landslide State House defeat of Gov. Deval Patrick's recent casino proposal. Patrick’s own remarks this week also hint that budget pressures, and the possible demise of one of his most implacable opponents, may push the issue back onto the menu sooner rather than later.

Casinos are in and racetrack slots are likely out as Massachusetts lawmakers hammer out a final version of a long-anticipated bill to legalise expanded gambling in the key New England state, industry observers say.