A proposal included in the House budget would let Massachusetts casinos serve alcohol for an extra two hours, from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Christopher Bennett, a spokesman for the House Ways and Means Committee, said the section was included "in order to help maximize the potential of the gaming industry in Massachusetts."
"As we get nearer to the opening of the facilities and six years past the creation of the law, we need to take into account the changes in the marketplace, and ensure competitiveness," Bennett said in a statement.
Current state law allows alcohol to be served until 2 a.m. at casinos, which is also the latest time alcohol can be served at Massachusetts bars. The language included in the House Ways and Means Committee's fiscal 2018 budget proposal would give the Massachusetts Gaming Commission permission to issue licenses to casinos to sell alcohol until 4 a.m. to patrons "who are actively engaged in gambling."
Casinos would still be barred from selling alcohol between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.
So far, the only casino open in Massachusetts is a slots parlor at Plainridge Park Casino operated by Penn National Gaming. Two other resort casinos - MGM in Springfield and Wynn Resorts in Everett - are in the process of being built.
A spokeswoman for MGM said the casino was not involved in requesting the change.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission heard briefly about the proposal as part of a legislative update on Thursday, but has not discussed it or issued an opinion on it.
"If the language is enacted, the Commission would be very thoughtful and deliberative about whether and how to proceed," said Elaine Driscoll, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
To make it into law, however, the language must still be passed by the state Senate, and Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, said Thursday that he is "not a fan of that idea."
Rosenberg said lawmakers "made a value judgment" when they established the alcohol laws. He worried about doing anything to change the state's casino law and loosen regulations.
"We said we're not going to chip away at the statute because this is how it happens in state after state," Rosenberg said. "First there's one little change, then another little change and before you know it the commonwealth loses control of the industry."
"This is an industry that if you're not careful starts to run the table," Rosenberg said.
Rosenberg called the proposal to loosen alcohol laws in casinos "the yellow light."
"This is the warning light," Rosenberg said. "If we approve this, next month will be another proposal, next year will be another proposal. Before you know it, we'll be asked to open more casinos, we'll be asked to do all kinds of things that will undermine the state's control over these facilities."