Background Checks Critical For Transition To Casinos
Casino gambling in Massachusetts has drawn strident arguments from both sides of the issue. On one side are those who see the industry as a jobs generator and a new cog in the Massachusetts economic engine; and on the other, those who see the industry as the second coming of the Devil, dishing out the ills of gambling addictions and economic regression, as well as the potential for a rise in crime.
We have not been ambiguous about our view on casinos, that they would be more of a menace than a messiah, taking away money from other businesses, such as entertainment venues. More recently, we also criticized the process developers must navigate to bring their plans to fruition — specifically how the legislation allowed for 11th-hour scrambling to draw up “host community” agreements and did not allow for sufficient time to meaningfully assess the real impact of a slots parlor or resort casino. A ballot referendum is essential for an impacted community, but only if voters have digested all the facts to determine how such a critical decision fits within the community's long-term goals.
But let's give credit where it's due. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which has the critical task of enforcing the 2011 gambling-expansion legislation, has set up a largely transparent process with several safeguards in place. One is to conduct extensive background checks on all applicants. The tough scrutiny nudged out the original developers for the proposed slots parlor in Plainville. More recently, Caesars Entertainment, one of the biggest names in the casino industry, withdrew as a partner in Suffolk Downs' bid for a resort casino on the East Boston-Revere line after the commission found blemishes on Caesars' record.
That ouster led Caesars' top executive, Gary Loveman, to criticize the state for “unprecedented” licensing standards, according to a report in The Boston Globe. “It's going to be very difficult for sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional operators to tolerate the environment (the gaming) commission has created,” the Globe quoted him as saying.
The commission's job isn't easy. But if Massachusetts is to proceed with casino gambling — like it or not — extensive background checks are an essential, critical part of that job. In addition, the strength with which host communities endorse the projects, and the degree to which surrounding communities are compensated for significant impacts, are also critical factors in choosing the right project. Even after the casinos are built and their operators reel in patrons and rake in profits, the commission must continue to enforce the highest possible standards.
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