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House, Senate Offer New Mass. Casinos Proposal

BOSTON (CBS) - Legislative leaders have unveiled a new proposal to bring expanded gaming to Massachusetts.

A gaming bill released Tuesday allows the state to license three resort casinos and one slot parlor and establishes guidelines for the bidding process.

Licenses for casinos would start at $85 million and bidding for the slot parlor license would start at $25 million.

The bill also sets aside one of the casino contracts for a federally recognized Indian tribe.

WBZ-TV's Sera Congi reports.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports

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This latest proposal comes after closed doors negotiations between legislative leaders and Gov. Deval Patrick to reach a deal.

A similar proposal to license three casinos collapsed last year over the issue of whether to allow slot machines at race tracks.

Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo issued a statement saying they support the bill, which is expected to be debated after Labor Day.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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