As I wrote the other day, the opposition to Governor Deval Patrick's casino gambling gambit -- is gathering steam. Those who enjoy political spectacles -- particularly those among the Patrick's political opponents -- will be breaking out the popcorn to watch this classic case of slo-mo road kill. As a fan of the guv, that is a show I would rather see cancelled after these first few disastrous episodes. My friendly advice from this distance is that the sooner he starts shopping plan B to address the state's economic issues -- the better off we all will be.

A statewide coalition, Casino Free Mass, was formally launched on Monday in Boston, and is organizing statewide.

Supporters of the Casino Free Mass coalition include: The National Association on Mental Illness, Massachusetts Chapter; the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts; the National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter; the Massachusetts Catholic Conference; the Massachusetts Council of Churches; the Massachusetts Family Institute; the Interchurch Council of Greater New Bedford; the Muslim American Society, Boston Chapter; Casinofacts.org

Press coverage has been intensive all over New England. The announcement of the coalition was, for example, the headline frontpage story in the Springfield Republican newspaper.

BOSTON - Religious groups, political activists and human service workers yesterday launched a statewide effort to oppose casinos in Massachusetts.

Members of the Casino Free Mass coalition said they will hold meetings around the state to organize people against casinos. They said they have no plans to lobby legislators.

Members said casinos in Massachusetts will create a new generation of addicted gamblers. They warned that casinos take money from the poor and elderly, those who can least afford it.

The Rev. John V. Johnson, executive director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, said casino gambling is a moral issue. The council is helping lead the coalition.

"Raising revenue off the addiction of its citizens is both a bad bet and bad government," Johnson said at a press conference outside the Statehouse.

The Berkshire Eagle was one of many media outlets in MA and around the country to run the State House News Service or the AP wire stories.

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts first voiced its opposition to casino gambling in 1982, said Diane Jeffery, president of the league. The league opposes casinos because casino jobs are short term, such as construction jobs, or low paying. In addition, casinos sprout crime, gambling addiction and traffic, according to studies conducted by the league.

"At a time when cities and towns are looking for money, this is not the time to bring in gambling," said Jeffery, in an interview. "We need to focus on industries that don't drain the economy."

The Massachusetts Council of Churches has anti-gambling resources posted on its web site -- including economic arguments against casino gambling.

The National Gambling Impact Study, created and funded by Congress, found that the rate of problem and addicted gamblers doubles within a 50-mile radius of a new casino.

State sponsored revenue-by-addiction is a non-starter. Give it up now please, Governor Patrick.