by WGGB Staff:
BOSTON, Mass (WGGB) -- Lawmakers on Beacon Hill have reached an agreement on the long debated casino bill.
Friday evening during a press conference at the State House it was announced that the House and Senate has agreed on the compromised bill.
The bill has authorized three casinos in the state of Massachusetts and slots at two venues.
House speaker Robert Deleo said that the goal of the bill is to put the commonwealth back to work.
At least one of those casinos would be located in one of the four Western Massachusetts counties. The other two are planned for east and southeast Massachusetts.
In a statement released from Governor Patrick's office he said that he was "disappointed that it includes more than one slot facility and that there is no provision for open, competitive bidding for the slot licenses. I cannot support this bill in its current form."
The House and Senate has until midnight Saturday to vote on the bill.
