Mass. Senate Set To Resume Casino Bill Debate

The Massachusetts Senate is set to resume debate on a bill that would license three resort-style casinos and a slots parlor in the state.

Debate was abruptly cut off on Tuesday after Sen. Karen Spilka, an Ashland Democrat, used a parliamentary maneuver to delay a vote.

Spilka said more time was needed to review dozens of pending amendments.

Under Senate rules, a bill can be tabled up to three times without a vote. Senate President Therese Murray's office say opponents have now used all three of those opportunities.

There's at least one more maneuver that opponents could use to again postpone a vote.

The Senate approved several amendments during two days of debate last week, including a one-year ban on lawmakers working in the gambling industry after leaving office.