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Mass. High Court Hears Arguments In Casino Case

BOSTON (AP) — Both sides in the casino gambling debate are encouraged by the questions asked by Massachusetts supreme court justices in a case centered on a proposed voter referendum repealing the state's 2011 casino law.

John Ribeiro, chair of "Repeal the Casino Deal," said the Supreme Judicial Court "got to the heart of the matter" and largely ignored "frivolous parts" of their appeal during a 45-minute long hearing Monday morning.

Michael Mathis, CEO of MGM Springfield, said he was pleased the justices focused, in part, on the potentially "chilling" impact on Massachusetts' business climate.

He added that MGM, which proposes an $800 million casino in downtown Springfield, reserves the right to litigate if the case's outcome hurts them.

The court is expected to rule on the case sometime before July.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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