Wynn Resorts on board with campaign to fight repeal of casino law

Penn is building the state’s only slot machine parlor, at Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville. Penn elected to go ahead with construction, despite the possibility the casino law would be repealed.

MGM has been promised the Western Massachusetts resort casino license, for an $800 million casino proposal in downtown Springfield. At the company’s request, state regulators agreed not to officially grant MGM the license until the repeal is settled. The coalition has released two television ads, both of which focus on creating jobs.

Wynn Resorts, which earned the Boston-area resort casino license on Sept. 16, did not immediately get involved with the antirepeal campaign. The company told CommonWealth Magazine in May that “historically, Wynn Resorts has not been involved in campaigns to advocate the expansion of gaming.”

Company chairman Steve Wynn told the Globe days after winning the license that he was thinking about whether to help defend the casino law, which had already been passed by state lawmakers. The company confirmed in a statement Friday that it “will participate with Protect Mass Jobs to provide information to voters about the impact of our industry.

“Ultimately and appropriately, the voters of the Commonwealth will decide,” Wynn Resorts said. “They deserve to have factual information which will allow them to make an informed decision.” Justine Griffin, a spokeswoman for the coalition, said Wynn Resorts “is helping to fund the effort” to defeat Question 3 though added she did not know how much the company would contribute.

John Ribeiro, chairman of casino repeal campaign, blasted Wynn Resorts for joining the campaign.“Wait, a casino boss going back on his word?” Ribeiro said in a statement. “It’d be funny if it wasn’t so sad and predictable.” Ribeiro reiterated a standing challenge to Wynn to debate on the issue of casino gambling.