A proposal to use casino boats to raise money for a new megaplex in the Boston area could face stiff political opposition from Cambridge civic leaders.

The casino boat idea is now being floated by Gov. William F. Weld '66 on Beacon Hill.

City opposition could become highly significant if backers of the proposed megaplex, which would include a convention center and possibly a domed stadium for the New England Patriots football team, plan on using Cambridge land to build a dock for boats which would cruise the Charles River.

While some city politicians expressed lukewarm support for the idea, others said they were strongly opposed.

"I don't think much of it," said City Councillor Francis H. Duehay '55, a former mayor. "I don't think we should employ gambling as a way of funding public projects, or private ones, for that matter."

The issue is new, but has already sparked contentious debate in the state government.

Lt. Gov. A. Paul Cellucci has said that Weld will likely submit the idea of floating casinos as part of a megaplex bill next week. Attorney General L. Scott Harshbarger '64 has already indicated that he opposes the idea, arguing that gambling's financial benefits are outweighed by the costs to society.

Despite their differing attitudes about legalizing gambling on boats, civic leaders were virtually unani- mous in the opinion that Cambridge's main waterway, the Charles River, should not be used for the boats.

"I think it would be highly unlikely you could get a riverboat up the Charles," said David Leslie '69, executive director of the Cambridge Civic Association. "First of all, just getting under the bridges could be tough. And it's also a pretty small river."

"I don't see the Charles as a real good site for a gambling casino," said Councillor William H. Walsh, adding that he is generally open to the idea of floating casinos.

Officials in the offices of the state's two United States senators indicated their bosses did not have opinions on Weld's proposal. State Sen. Michael Barrett '70, a Democrat who represents Cambridge, was in western Massachusetts campaigning for governor yesterday and could not be reached for comment.

But his staff director, Andrew Rudalevige, indicated it was unlikely that Barrett would support the floating casino proposal of Weld, who could be his political opponent in the governor's race next year.

"I'm not sure he has a formal position yet," said Rudalevige. "I think Mike's general sense is when you talk about an expansion of gambling, there are some really large social costs involved."

Walsh and city councillor Sheila T. Russell said gambling might be necessary to raise funds for the megaplex and other projects.

Russell, who even tries to avoid buying Megabucks tickets, said she personally dislikes gambling but "if people are going to spend money gambling, why not here?"

"I'm not a gambler, but I know a lot of people who are," Russell said. "And the floating ones are probably the best, safest way to do it."

Walsh said he dislikes gambling but believes it may be necessary to fund public projects. He does not hold much hope for the success of Weld's proposal, in part because he remembers John Briston Sullivan, who unsuccessfully fought to put a floating casino and hotel on the Charles more than 40 years ago.

"The lottery tickets have certainly worked, and the casino is something we have to look at," Walsh said. "For example, when we have national health care, we may have to have a national lottery. It's the only way to pay for it."

Some Cambridge political groups indicated that while they have not yet discussed the issue, they could take a position on it in the future.

Leslie said the constitution of the Cambridge Civic Association bars the group it from taking a position on the issue until discussions reach the city level.

"My own sense is that it would become appropriate [to take a position] if it came to affect Cambridge," said Leslie. "At this point, it's still a state issue."

David Good, a volunteer for the Cambridge Alliance, said no member had raised the issue yet.

But he said that it was quite possible the group would weigh in on the possibility of using floating casinos to raise money.

R. Philip Dowds, a Cambridge resident who is active in local politics, said he believes the proposal is an effort to distract the public from seeking reforms in the tax code that would ask the rich to pay more and, thus, raise more revenue.

"My own view is that the entire American tax code was made regressive during the 1980s," Dowds said. "I see this shenanigan as a dodge to avoid the reworking of the tax code that is necessary."

But for Dowds as for others, it's also a moral issue.

"I certainly suspect there's money to be made in gambling," he said. "There's also money to be made in drugs and prostitution."

Governor William F. Weld '66 wants a megaplex with a domed stadium that will keep the New England Patriots in the Boston area. But in order to pay for that plan, he wants to raise funds from state-sponsored gambling. If Cambridge gets involved, he could be in for a high stakes political battle.

I certainly suspect there's money to be made in gambling. There's also money to be made in drugs and prostitution. R. Philip Dowds, civic leaderCrimson File PhotoCity Councillor FRANCIS H. DUEHAY '55 (above, left) and State Sen. MICHAEL J. BARRETT '70 (above, right) appear to be opponents of the proposal. Councillor WILLIAM H. WALSH (below, left) seems more sympathetic. Could City Manager ROBERT W. HEALY (below, right) be a pivotal player?