Slots In Central Mass.?
Under the state's expanded gaming legislation, a slots parlor and up to three resort-style casinos can be built in the commonwealth. Each of the casinos will be in a different region of the state, but the slots parlor can go anywhere. Interested developers must pay a $400,000 deposit and submit an application to the state's gaming commission by Jan. 15. With just days before that deadline, there is one potential proposal that could land the slots license in Worcester.
What's happening in Worcester?
Last month, published reports said Cambridge-based developer Richard Friedman is interested in building a slots parlor and boutique hotel on a 14-acre site near Kelley Square. However, city officials said they hadn't seen a plan, and Gaming Commission spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said Friedman hadn't contacted the commission as of last Wednesday. Late last month, city councilors moved to study the feasibility of seizing the property, owned by manufacturer Wyman-Gordon, by eminent domain. Despite the question of eminent domain being raised a week after news of Friedman's intentions, Mayor Joseph Petty said a takeover would not constitute an effort to keep gaming out of the city, but to stress that officials want the mostly abandoned site to be redeveloped.
What about Littleton?
Less than two weeks after the announcement that Littleton had been approached by Clairvest Group of Toronto about adding a slots parlor at the town's new 90-acre mixed-use development, The Point, the firm backed out. In its initial statement, posted on the town's website, Clairvest said The Point "has the potential to be the ideal location" for a slots parlor. However, last Wednesday, the company said it was dropping plans for Littleton, although it's continuing to evaluate other opportunities in Massachusetts.
Has anyone formally applied to the state yet?
As of Wednesday, Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville was the only group that had applied and paid the deposit for the slot license, Driscoll said. She said the commission expects to see more applications before next week's deadline.
What are the requirements of a slots parlor?
The parlor would have up to 1,250 machines. The licensee must make an initial investment of at least $125 million within two years of receiving the license, and the minimum license fee is $25 million. The gaming commission has said the slots parlor could open as early as 2014, the casinos by 2017.
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