State lawmakers are not exploring legislation regarding casino gambling now. According to Senator Michael Morriseey's office, the Government Regulations Committee, of which Morrissey is co-chair, is dealing with existing issues like race tracks and lottery but nothing new.

There is hope though--and that comes in the form of the possibility that New Hampshire might pass gaming legislation to pay for education. That state, which has no income tax is currently under a court order to find a way to fund education besides using property taxes.

Morrissey's office tells GlobeSt.com that if New Hampshire does permit casino gambling there could be some impact on legislation here. The office is quick to emphasize that the New Hampshire plan is still unformed and legislators here need to know what that state will do before they react. It is believed that if New Hampshire does allow gambling in its state, the tracks and lottery here in Massachusetts would suffer.