Massachusetts Gaming Board puts pressure on Boston to meet deadlines

Commission Spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said in an email the “motion to stay” Walsh filed last week “is not considered a request for extension” on surrounding community negotiations, and that “Boston and the applicants have five days (from last week’s negotiation deadlines) to inform the commission on their choice for arbitrators ... The assumption would be that they are proceeding to arbitration unless they inform the Commission of otherwise in the next few days.”

The Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday sanctioned a ballot question that would repeal casinos in Massachusetts. After that, deadlines came and went for Walsh to close deals with Wynn Resorts on Wednesday and Mohegan Sun Friday, for their casino proposals in Everett and Revere.

Walsh said with the ballot question revived, he is “not at all” concerned about the commission’s arbitration process. “That’s not at all what we’re planning on,” Walsh said of picking an arbitrator. “I’m focused on what the SJC did and asking to put the process off until November ... I know what we’re doing here. I know that we’re going to continue to move in the way that’s right for the people of Boston.”

The commission will hear testimony on Boston’s motion to delay licensing on Wednesday, and likely vote on it.

Walsh said Boston will “present our case why we think that they should put off any decisions until after November.” “It makes sense,” Walsh said. “It will actually save taxpayers money, and allow the voters of Massachusetts to decide whether or not we’re going to move forward with casinos at all in Massachusetts.”

The high-stakes hearing comes as calls from pro- and anti-casino forces grow louder for action on or delay on the awarding of the lucrative Boston-area license.

Clyde Barrow, a gaming expert at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, released a poll Sunday showing that among greater Boston residents, 46 percent would currently vote to uphold the state’s casino law, while 41 percent would vote to repeal it. He suggested licensing decisions should precede the ballot vote, “because voters should be armed with the knowledge to cast a fully informed vote, no matter how they now intend to vote.”
Casino talks between Mohegan Sun and Boston officials in limbo

With the fate of Massachusetts casinos now uncertain, a deadline for the resolution of "surrounding community" talks between the City of Boston and Mohegan Sun, which hopes to build a US$ 1.3 billion resort in Revere, passed Friday without a deal, a sign the negotiations are likely to enter an arbitration phase.

Mohegan is vying for the Greater Boston license with Wynn Resorts, which has proposed a US$ 1.6 billion project in Everett. Mitchell Etess, the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority's chief executive officer, declined Friday to discuss the status of Mohegan Sun's talks with Boston officials. On Thursday, Mohegan Sun strongly objected to Walsh's request that the license award by delayed.

The commission announced Friday that it will meet Wednesday to consider the request. "We are shocked and extremely disappointed with the announcement by the City of Boston …" Mohegan Sun said in a statement. "We have been fully cooperative with Mayor Walsh's administration and (are) negotiating in good faith with the city to agree on a surrounding community agreement that would fully mitigate any issues relative to our project and create thousands of jobs, spur economic development in the region, and inject much needed revenue into local and state budgets.

"We believe the commission should continue on its current time frame for awarding a license and stand ready to continue productive discussions with the city. Two licenses have already been awarded and there is absolutely no reason not to continue fulfilling the promise of this landmark legislation."

The City of Boston filed a motion Friday requesting the commission "immediately stay all proceedings" related to the Greater Boston license. The city argued that it would spend considerable amounts negotiating agreements with Mohegan Sun and Wynn Resorts, agreements that could be rendered moot by the referendum.

"Recent reports have shown that support for expanded gambling has waned since the enactment of the Enhanced Gaming Act, making it likely that expanded gaming will be repealed," city attorneys wrote.

According to the city's motion, Wynn Resorts filed notice Thursday of its intent to enter into arbitration with the city. Wynn intends to submit its "best and final offer" for a surrounding community agreement next week.