Massachusetts Gaming Commission to Grant Licenses Next Year
One topic we mention frequently in this space is that of the expansion of land-based casinos in the United States. And for good reason – after all, states across the nation are passing legislation to allow and issuing licenses for the operation of new resort-style casinos, very often to be situated in major urban locations.
Among the various states taking a more serious look at new casino construction, including such places as Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Illinois, the news coming out of Massachusetts as that state begins the process of issuing licenses for two new casinos, one to be located in the greater Boston area and the other in more the rural western portion of the state, has perhaps been the most interesting.
One reason that all eyes have been on Massachusetts is due to the fact that Steve Wynn is one of the top contenders to build the Boston-area casino. The famous mogul has vowed to spend $1 billion for the construction of his new resort. If approved, Wynn has promised that he will be building the most luxurious hotel in the city with picturesque views and the top-flight amenities and luxuries with which his name is synonymous.
Meanwhile, over-the-top Boston mayor Thomas Menino has been sniping with Wynn over the proposed location of Wynn’s project, a site in Everett of which Menino claims to be part owner. The site formerly housed a Monsanto chemical plant.
Menino alleges that Wynn has never contacted him with regard to his plans for the site, telling the Boston Globe, “Nobody approached us at all. We are the gateway to that site. … You would think they would have the common sense to talk to me or the [Boston Redevelopment Authority] director.”
While the eventual victors in the race for the coveted licenses have yet to be determined, the dates when the licenses will be granted has. This week, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission made the announcement that they will grant the two resort casino licenses early in 2014 – one in February and another in the month of March.
The February date has been known for some time, however the date when the second license would be issued was unknown prior to the announcement. The state’s gaming commission will also be handing out a license for a slots-only gambling parlor next year. The date that the slots-only license will be granted has been moved up to either September or October from a previously-set December date.
Perhaps not coincidentally, the Massachusetts news happened to break on the same day on which the governor of nearby neighbor New Hampshire proposed the construction of a new luxury resort casino in that state. At the present time, there are no casinos in New Hampshire, however the governor, like lawmakers in a great number of US states, is said to be concerned about losing out on potential revenue to casino properties across state lines.
Massachusetts officials gave no specific reason for their quick moves to complete the licensing process, however statements made by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s chairman, Stephen P. Crosby, told a tale familiar to anyone following gambling news in the United States.
“Everybody wants us to move faster,” said Crosby. “We want to move faster. We want the money to start rolling.”
