November 16, 2011
BOB SALSBERG, Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts lawmakers have sent a casino gambling bill to Gov. Deval Patrick after resolving a last-minute dispute over how much gaming revenue should go to help the state's horse racing industry.

The House and Senate enacted the historic legislation late Wednesday after approving an amendment that reduced the percentage of revenue going to a Race Horse Development Fund from 5 percent to 2 ½ percent. The other 2 ½ percent would go to cities and towns for capital projects.

Lawmakers said the change was made after Patrick expressed his concerns to House Speaker Robert DeLeo about the formula contained in a compromise bill approved Tuesday by the Legislature.

The bill authorizes three resort-style casinos and one slots parlor in Massachusetts. Patrick is expected to sign it within 10 days.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.