Massachusetts slots bill revived

EAST BOSTON, Mass. - Legislation that would bring 1,500 slot machines to Suffolk Downs and the three other parimutuel tracks in Massachusetts will have its third try at becoming law in the state legislature's 2002 session.

State Representative David Flynn, a Democrat from Bridgewater, has filed the legislation each of the past two years despite reluctance by the state's political leaders to take up gambling issues.

"Bills like this are becoming an annual event," said Bob O'Malley, chief operating officer of Suffolk. "Maybe because the economy is down this year it could see some progress, but I'm not really aware of any change in the atmosphere in the state house that would make a difference than past years."