As gambling companies compete for the three resort casino licenses and one slot parlor license allowed by Massachusetts' 2011 expanded gaming law, Bishop Douglas Fisher and casino gambling opponents in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts have joined with a coalition working to repeal the law.
They need to collect 69,000 signatures by Nov. 20 as they attempt to get an initiative on the 2014 ballot to repeal the 2011 casino law. Information about the effort and how to participate is available on the coalition's Web site at www.repealthecasinodeal.org.
It's expected that the state gambling commission will award the licenses by early 2014.
Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE says he wants to make Episcopalians in eastern Massachusetts aware of the repeal effort so they can get involved if they feel so called.
"Our Diocesan Convention last took a position on the issue in 2007 when it voted its opposition to any further expansion of gambling in Massachusetts, and that remains our diocesan position," Shaw said. "I commend Bishop Fisher for the active leadership he is taking in opposition to casino gambling, particularly in raising awareness of how its potential negative effects on communities and families and on those who are poor outweigh potential economic benefits."
--Tracy J. Sukraw