When state voters overwhelmingly supported Deval Patrick last November, who could have imagined we would get Bugsy Siegel for governor? Patrick’s proposal for three casinos in the state takes what could be a good possibility for new revenues and wastes it.

The Commonwealth is in need of money, no doubt about it. But is it worth filling our communities with multiple casinos and all the social ills they bring with them? We say no.

A single casino in Western Massachusetts could balance the need for new income while maintaining the historic and cultural charm that attracts thousands of tourists each year.

Slot machines in racetracks would generate (admittedly less) new revenue without hurting our effective state lottery.

But three casinos? And one in an urban area just north of Boston? Sounds like a recipe for disaster. While working class and low income folks spend too much of their money at the slots, they will actually be easing property tax burdens for rich communities who will not face the socioeconomic consequences the casinos inevitably bring.

Unlike Siegel‚Äôs plans for the Pink Flamingo, Patrick‚Äôs vision of casinos is pure. He wants to repair roads and bridges, invest in mass transit and improve education. All noble and worthy goals. But the cost of a casinos will be too high and we don‚Äôt want to pay the debt. The governor should continue to push his Municipal Partnership Act, a good first step in significantly adding to the state aid offered to local communities and take his chips off his casino gamble.