In another sign that he is seriously consider casino gambling as a ready source of cash for state government, Gov. Deval Patrick met separately yesterday with groups of state legislators on both sides of the issue.
Patrick told reporters that the meetings were informative, but that a decision was not imminent. He laughed when asked whether he was closer to a decision after meeting with the two groups of lawmakers.
”I’m glad we didn’t have a fight in there between the pro-gaming and the anti-gaming folks,” he said. ””¦Yes, I’m closer, but am I close? No, I’m not close yet.”

Daniel O’Connell, Patrick’s secretary of Housing and Economic Development, is leading an administration task force that is studying the gaming issue. O’Connell participated in yesterday’s meetings.
As for the moral objections, the state already has legalized gambling in the form of the state Lottery, which provides more than $900 million a year in aid to cities and towns.