Briefing: Return Of The Casinos
After sputtering out last year, the prospect of Massachusetts casinos is back, with a bill released by legislative leaders last week that would permit three resort-style casinos and one slot parlor in the state.
How could casinos be developed under the bill?
Three resort casinos would be allowed, each in a different part of Massachusetts. Developers would pay a $350,000 up-front fee to apply to open one. Those chosen would be charged an $85 million licensing fee, and would have to invest at least $500 million in each resort.
What about the slot parlor?
The single slot parlor allowed under the bill could include up to 1,250 slot machines, but no table games like poker or blackjack. The parlor’s developer would have to pay a $25 -million licensing fee and put at least $125 million in capital investment into the project.
What revenue would the state get?
Aside from the application and licensing fees, the casinos would pay 25 percent of their gross gaming revenue as taxes. The slot parlor would pay 40 percent of gross gaming revenue, plus another 9 percent that would be directed toward the horse-racing industry.
Where would the money go?
Of the tax revenues from the casinos, a quarter would go to local aid for cities and towns. Money would also go to transportation infrastructure, local education aid and programs for compulsive gamblers, among other things.
Would Central Massachusetts get its own casino?
Not necessarily. One casino would be allowed in Western Massachusetts and one in the southeastern region, but the third geographical division is a huge one, including all of Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk and Worcester Counties.
What’s the next step for the bill?
So far, the bill has been released by the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. It was scheduled for a committee vote on Friday, according to State House News Service, and the full legislatures should be able to consider it in September.
Does the bill have the governor’s support?
Yes. The bill is similar to the plan Gov. Deval Patrick backed last year, and the governor’s office released a statement praising the new language.
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