Mass Gaming Sets Sights on Millbury For Slots Parlor
Mass Gaming & Entertainment LLC (MGE), the company that initially proposed building a slots parlor on a 14-acre site near Kelley Square in Worcester, is now looking to neighboring Millbury as a potential host.
The announcement came Tuesday shortly before MGE officials and Millbury Town Manager Robert Spain told selectmen during a meeting they are reviewing multiple sites for the project. MGE is expected to reveal its desired location in a formal presentation to the Planning Board Monday night.
In a statement from MGE, Spain called the proposal a "great opportunity for the Town of Millbury." Spain said the proposed slots parlor would create 400 new jobs and generate new revenue "to help the town through the current financial crisis and allow us to address many of our pressing needs."
According to MGE, the project would generate millions in new tax and other revenue but it did not provide a dollar amount.
E. Bernard Plante, chairman of the Millbury Board of Selectmen, said he met individually with MGE officials, including founder Neil Bluhm, a week-and-a-half ago to discuss their proposal. He said he expects the proposed site to be somewhere along Route 146.
"I liked what I heard, but we're very early on in the process to take a side," Plante said, though he added that MGE's promise to create 400 full-time jobs is appealing.
Plante said Spain's enthusiasm for the project is not surprising, as Millbury has experienced two "very difficult" budget seasons that have caused payroll shortfalls in the town budget.
An affiliate of Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming LLC, MGE said the slots parlor would be an approximately $200-million investment and create opportunities for local businesses to partner with MGE as vendors for the casino.
A spokeswoman for MGE said more details on the size of the facility were not available Monday morning.
The Millbury plans come on the heels of a proposal made by Baltimore-based Cordish Cos. to build a slots parlor off Route 117 in Leominster.
Both companies are vying for the state's sole slots parlor license, and applications must be submitted by Oct. 4, along with Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville and Raynham Park in Raynham. But before the companies can apply, they both need approval by local governing boards, followed by approval from voters.
MGE's plans for Worcester fell through last month when the company and City Manager Michael O'Brien failed to come to terms on a host community agreement.
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