Massachusetts Gaming Commission to Select Casino in Boston Area

Mohegan Sun and Wynn Resorts presented their proposals

Massachusetts Gaming Commission began the preparations to give a Boston-area casino license to a land based casino operator. As preparations are in progress, the acting commission chairman James McHugh reportedly favors the layout and design of Mohegan Sun in Revere more than that of Wynn Resorts’s proposal in Everett.

According to the commissioner, the two-hotel design of Mohegan Sun is very close to the resort legacy of nearby Revere Beach. In contrast, the 27-story hotel tower of Wynn Resorts does not meet the elements associated with reclaiming a polluted section of Mystic River for public use and lacks innovative design.

In the following days the Massachusetts Gaming Commission will held a series of meetings in order to decide whom to give the casino license. In November, voters will decide whether to repeal the casino law of the state which will postpone the licensing process.

The Casino Proposals

The casino proposal of Mohegan Sun includes redeveloping the Suffolk Downs horse racing track in Revere and it requires $1.3 billion in spending. Out of this budget, only $527 million would cover the construction costs.

On the other hand, Wynn Resorts plans to turn the former chemical plant site along the Mystic River in Everett into a luxurious resort with five stars. This proposal requires $1.6 billion in spending out of which about $1 billion are required to cover the construction costs.

Mohegan Sun offered two options- to build a boutique hotel with three stars and casino hotel property with four stars that will have a total of 500 rooms. The casino area will feature 4,200 slots and 120 table games. The retail space for this proposal requires 102,000 square feet including 92,000 square-foot of food and beverage space and a meeting and convention space of 44,800 square feet.

The proposal of Wynn requires a glasslike hotel tower of 365 feet comprised of 500 rooms. The casino department will include 3,242 slots and 168 table games. The retail space for this proposal requires 77,250 square feet, a food and beverage sector of 64,593 square feet and a meeting and convention option of 32,942 square feet including a night club of 30,392 square feet.

Controversy Accompanies Both Projects

Both proposals are followed by controversy. Mohegan Sun is sued for having developed its Suffolk Downs proposal even though it didn’t have the voter approval for another casino project in west of Massachusetts.

People also question the intentions of Wynn asking whether a convicted felon can take advantage from a land it plans to buy and develop which is also violating the regulations of the state. Reports say that none of these convictions will have effect on the decision of the gambling regulator.

Next week, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission will look into the finances of each project. The following day, it will look into the economic development potential of the proposals, their agreements on compensation with area cities and what traffic effects they will have on the Boston area.