Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is continuing with its work to license three resort casinos despite a looming ballot question that could repeal the state’s gaming law.
The Supreme Judicial Court on June 24 ruled that a casino repeal measure can appear on the November ballot, where it has been assigned Question 3.
In a statement, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission said it “respects the decision” of the SJC, but will continue its process.
“We have the flexibility to achieve progress in the licensing and regulatory process even in an atmosphere of uncertainty, and we will continue to do so,” the commission stated. “Although the commission has not taken a position on the repeal, we are committed to implementing the law as it currently exists in a manner that is participatory, transparent and fair.”
In July, the commission released an updated timeline relative to the casino licensing process for Region A (greater Boston) and Region C (southeastern Massachusetts).
The license for Region A, where there are active applications for sites in Everett and Revere, is expected to be awarded between Aug. 29 and Sept. 12. In Region C, preliminary resort casino applications will be due on Dec. 1, with the award of a license expected in August 2015.
Earlier this year, the commission awarded the state’s sole slot-parlor license to Penn National Gaming in Plainville and the Region B (western Massachusetts) casino license to MGM in Springfield.
A vigorous campaign is expected on Question 3, which will determine whether the state will see a new revenue stream from expanded gaming operations. As it is, the fiscal 2015 state budget counts on $73 million in gaming-related revenue.