March 18, 2008 Casino supporters, opponents gather in Boston Play video

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Lawmakers on Beacon Hill are again debating the proposal of three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts.

Governor Deval Patrick's plan is drawing hundreds of supporters and critics to downtown Boston.

The rally in Boston -- held just before the start of a legislative hearing -- included many union members who wore hard hats and carried signs saying "Casinos equal 20,000 jobs for Massachusetts and I need one of them."

Patrick told the crowd that his proposal deserves a "serious, balanced, fair hearing in the Legislature."

Meanwhile, House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi predicts that casinos would bring "human devastation," including more bankruptcies, foreclosures, divorce, broken families and property crimes.

He said the governor has not made the case for casinos and that "time is running out."

NECN's Latoyia Edwards reports.