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Casino gambling in Massachusetts

In the Cards: Our new blog covering Mass. gaming

In the Cards: Our new blog covering Mass. gaming

Globe reporter Mark Arsenault tackles casino development and gambling issues in his frequently updated blog.
Pictures: Past, present and future of Suffolk Downs

Pictures: Past, present and future of Suffolk Downs

See what's changed at the site, which first hosted horse racing in 1935 and could end up with one of the state's three resort casino licenses.

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Plainville slot parlor gets conditional OK

The five-member state gambling commission voted to approve the proposal by Penn National Gaming, subject to a number of conditions.

Revere voters say yes to Mohegan Sun proposal

For the second time in four months, Revere voters have said yes to a casino at Suffolk Downs, approving a $1.3 billion Mohegan Sun proposal at a referendum today, according to city officials.

Panel sees possible delay in Mass. casino license

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission says it may have to push back the timetable for awarding the sole eastern Massachusetts resort casino license because of a possible conflict of interest with a contractor that had been helping review surrounding community petitions for casino proposals in Everett and Revere.

States outsource casino policing to private firms

Private companies are being hired to write regulations and vet casinos, even as the same firms work the other side of the fence, helping casinos enter new markets and sometimes lobbying for their interests.

Regulators accept Coakley’s help in overseeing casino collection practices

State casino regulators will accept Attorney General Martha Coakley’s offer of legal and technical help in writing consumer protection regulations for the issuance of gambling credit by casinos and how those gambling loans are collected.

Governor hopeful McCormick backs casino law repeal

Independent candidate for governor Jeff McCormick said that he supports repealing the state’s casino law and, if elected, would work to bring Massachusetts’ income tax rate down to 5 percent by making government run more efficiently.

Twin River casino preps for Mass. gambling threat

The chairman of Twin River says the casino company is well-positioned to meet the threat of expanded gambling in Massachusetts, with the addition of table games and the acquisition of a resort casino in Mississippi.

Mass. tribe in final phase of casino land bid

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe says it has entered the final stage of its federal land-in-trust request for a proposed casino in Taunton.

Federal judge upholds state casino law

A federal judge has upheld Massachusetts’ casino law as constitutional, deciding against a casino developer that had challenged the state statute over its deference to Native American tribes.

Proposal gives $33m to Revere up front for casino

Mohegan Sun would pay Revere the money under a proposed deal for a gambling resort at the Suffolk Downs racetrack. The deal is expected to go before Revere voters for a referendum vote in about 60 days.

Caesars sues Mass. gaming chief Crosby

Las Vegas gambling giant Caesars Entertainment has filed suit in federal court against Massachusetts gambling commission chairman Stephen Crosby, in part over Crosby’s link to a landowner who stands to benefit from an Everett casino project.

Walsh not ruling out lawsuit to block Revere casino

Boston Mayor-elect Martin J. Walsh says he will not rule out legal action to stop a Mohegan Sun casino at Suffolk Downs from locating in Revere.

Commission demands new vote by Revere residents on revised Suffolk Downs plan

The state gambling commission said it wants Revere to hold another citywide referendum before the licensing board decides whether the Revere-only Suffolk Downs plan can remain in the competition for the sole Eastern Massachusetts casino license.

State files suit to block Martha’s Vineyard casino

Governor Deval Patrick’s administration today filed suit in state court to block the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah from opening a small casino on tribal land on the western edge of Martha’s Vineyard.

Mohegan Sun CEO promises bold development

The chief executive of Mohegan Sun has promised to build a casino resort on the Revere side of Suffolk Downs that will “redefine how people in the region entertain themselves.”

Mohegan Sun to join Revere casino bid

Connecticut gambling giant Mohegan Sun has agreed to join a Suffolk Downs casino bid in Revere, filling a hole created last month when Suffolk Downs dropped Caesars Entertainment from the gambling venture.

FBI investigating Everett casino deal

Federal and state agencies are said to be investigating whether a businessman with a criminal record has ownership in the Everett property where Steve Wynn seeks to build a resort.

Milford voters defeat Foxwoods-backed proposal

Town voters emphatically rejected a $1 billion Foxwoods-backed gambling resort on Tuesday, crushing a casino proposal five years in development, and shrinking the field of applicants for the state’s most lucrative gambling license.

Tribe claims approval for Vineyard casino

The Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah said today it has won federal approval to open a casino on tribal land on Martha’s Vineyard, introducing a surprising new wrinkle to the state’s unsettled gambling industry.

Suffolk Downs, Revere to reopen casino talks

Suffolk Downs and Revere are looking to modify a casino proposal that would have included East Boston after an Eastie referendum defeated the proposal. The plan to modify the agreement is a sure sign that Suffolk Downs is committed to moving forward.

Suffolk Downs defeated in East Boston

In one swift stunning blow, East Boston voters rejected casino dreams years in the making, defeating a $1 billion Suffolk Downs gambling resort project.

Wynn pulls Philadelphia casino bid

Las Vegas casino developer Steve Wynn is withdrawing his application for a casino in Philadelphia, but still has an application in place for a $1.2 billion casino in Everett.

Council approves East Boston-only vote for casino

The Boston City Council voted 12-1 in favor of allowing only East Boston residents to vote on the proposed casino at Suffolk Downs, shooting down calls that the vote be taken citywide.

Leominster voters approve slots parlor

Leominster voters strongly endorsed a gambling proposal from Cordish Cos., on Tuesday, completing the field of contestants for the state’s only slot parlor license.

Revenue projection for casino disputed

Suffolk Downs would have to generate more gambling revenue than any other casino in the country -- in the Western Hemisphere even -- to reach the $1 billion mark city leaders are counting on under profit-sharing agreements, according to industry experts and a Globe analysis.

Better-off suburbs spurn call of casinos

Cash-flushed casino developers have been bum-rushed out of towns with more affluent populations.

West Springfield voters reject casino plan

Voters dealt a devastating blow to an $800 million Hard Rock casino plan, rejecting the proposal at a referendum and eliminating a prominent competitor for the Western Mass. resort casino license.

Mass. gaming panel to hear Boston-Everett dispute

At issue is whether Las Vegas casino developer Steve Wynn must reach a host community agreement with Boston before he can seek a license from the commission for his proposed casino in Everett.

Mohegan Sun to pay Palmer at least $16m annually

Under a casino host community agreement, Mohegan Sun has agreed to give the town $2.94 million upfront and then annual payments of about $16 million, allowing the gambling company to move ahead to a local vote to pursue a casino license in Western Massachusetts.

Menino, Suffolk Downs reach casino deal

The casino negotiations between Mayor Menino and Suffolk Downs are done, with the two sides agreeing on a deal that will allow Suffolk Downs’ gambling resort proposal to move ahead to a referendum vote.

Penn national turns to racetrack

Spurned by Tewksbury voters, a Pennsylvania-based gambling company may reemerge in the state’s slots parlor sweepstakes at Plainridge Racecourse, a one-time favorite to win a slot machine license that fell from the competition when its ownership team was ruled unsuitable to run a casino.

Tewksbury defeats slots zoning change

Tewksbury closed the door on the $200 million Merrimack Valley Casino proposed for 30 acres of commercial land off Route 133 near the Andover town line. The vote was 995 yes, to 1,568 no. The measure required a 2/3 majority, or 1,709 votes to be adopted.

Plainridge looking at quick sale to save slot bid

Disqualified from a statewide competition to develop a slot parlor, owners of Plainridge Racecourse are pursuing a quick sale of the track in a last-ditch effort to keep the site alive in the slot machine sweepstakes and preserve live harness racing in Massachusetts. (8/7/13)

Menino, Suffolk Downs near completion of casino deal

Mayor Menino and Suffolk Downs have agreed on the framework of a deal that will allow the casino project to move to a referendum vote, according to two people with knowledge of the deal. (7/11/13)

Wynn wins landslide vote in Everett

By a landslide vote of 5,320 to 833, Everett voters endorsed a $1.2 billion gambling resort proposal from Las Vegas developer Steve Wynn. (6/22/13)

State hires problem gaming expert

A well-credentialed problem gambling specialist will hold high-level post running the commission’s efforts to prevent and combat compulsive gambling. (5/28/13)
Pictures

Proposed Mass. casino locations

Proposed Mass. casino locations
Developers vying for the state's three casino licenses are proposing facilities in a number of locations.

Milford passes on nonbinding casino vote

Town Meeting voters declined to take a vote on a citizens petition to express opposition to the siting of a casino on 200 acres along Interstate 495. (5/21/13)

Mashpee tribe releases new rendering

Mashpee tribe releases new rendering
The drawings come as the gambling panel is expected to discuss a schedule for bids from commercial casino companies south of Boston. (5/14/13)

Group shot down in Boxborough vows to keep seeking license for slots parlor

The Cordish Companies is one of four groups seeking the state’s sole slots parlor license. (5/14/13)

Suffolk Downs casino talks stall

Negotiators for Suffolk Downs and city officials remain “miles apart” on how much money a casino at the East Boston track should pay to the city. (6/4/13)

UMass team to measure casinos' effect

A University of Massachusetts-Amherst team will conduct a $3.64 million research project on the economic and social effects of permitting casinos in Massachusetts. (5/9/13)

Springfield mayor backs MGM proposal

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said he's chosen the $800 million casino plan as the city’s candidate for the Western Massachusetts license. (4/30/13)

Casino tycoon eyes Worcester for slots

Chicago casino tycoon Neil Bluhm has settled on Worcester for a planned slot machine parlor, the first gambling business proposed for central Mass. (3/13/13)

Slots parlor representative discusses proposal with Danvers selectmen

A representative of PPE Casino Resorts said the Liberty Tree Mall parlor would employ up to 700 and wouldn't require any property expansion. (2/9/13)

11 apply for Mass. casino licenses

At least three proposals (Suffolk Downs, Everett, and Milford) will vie for what is expected to be the most lucrative casino license in the state. (1/15/13)

Everett, Revere vie for casino license

Neighboring cities with deep roots in Italy are the battleground in a fight between Vegas titans for Eastern Massachusetts' sole resort casino license. (1/13/13)

Mohegan Sun to pursue Palmer casino

Mohegan Sun's owners have found a new backer and will apply to build a gambling resort in Palmer, the Connecticut casino's top executive said. (1/14/13)
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