Card Player – The state of Massachusetts could award its first Las Vegas-style casino license by mid-June, according to a report from CBS Springfield.
The Gaming Commission said at a meeting on Friday morning that the plan is to award the license June 13, as long as there aren’t any setbacks. MGM is the only casino firm left standing in the race for Region B (the western part of the state).
Other firms are competing elsewhere, including a Wynn Resorts plan near Boston, but it appears the state needs more time sorting through those situations.
MGM is eyeing a $800 million casino for downtown Springfield.
In March, the state awarded Penn National Gaming the slots parlor license, the only one of its kind in the gambling expansion initiative.
The 2011 law, which authorized three Las Vegas-style casinos and one slots parlor, is the target of anti-gambling groups that are trying to stop casino development. They want the legislation repealed, something that has caused some firms bidding for casinos there to become a bit worried. However, it is very unlikely that the law would be repealed.
Some are also concerned with the tax structure in the state, saying that the way Massachusetts takes a cut of gambling winnings could hurt business.
