Lawmakers weigh final casino gambling bill

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - Lawmakers have launched debate on the state's most sweeping expansion of gambling in four decades, even though Gov. Deval Patrick has vowed not to sign the measure without changes.

The compromise bill would authorize three casinos and two slot machine parlors, which would be bid on by the state's four racetrack owners.

Patrick told reporters late Friday that he could not sign the bill, because it contains more than one slots parlor and said bidding should not be limited to the racetracks.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo says he finds it hard to believe Patrick would veto a bill that could bring the state 15,000 jobs and hundreds of millions in new revenues.

Lawmakers have until the midnight end of the session to approve the bill.