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Gambling News

Kirby Garlitos

Massachusetts casino repeal falls short; Colorado horse racing gets a ‘no’; California tribe’s casino plan gets spurned; Rick Scott re-elected as Florida governor

November 6, 2014

MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts and Penn National Gaming can all breathe a sigh of relief. Massachusetts’ expanded gambling law will live on after voters shot down an opportunity to repeal the three-year old during the recent electorate.
The Associated Press reported that voters decided to keep the potential economic benefits of the casino industry alive despite a strong push from anti-casino supporters who tried rallying residents to see the perceived ill effects of gambling. In the end, their efforts weren’t enough to compete against the pro-casino movement, which had the resources of casino companies backing their efforts to keep the casino law intact.
Springfield political consultant Anthony Cignoli told the Boston Globe that casino opponents didn’t have the same financial resources as the pro-casino movement. The lack of support cut down the effectiveness of their campaign when lined up against the pro casino campaign that released thousands of TV ads showcasing the economic and employment benefits of putting up casinos in the state.
“They had no major players asking other major players for money, making the case for how there was a possibility to win,” Cignoli said.
Instead of targeting the same TV and online audiences that the pro casino movement zeroed on, opponents opted to focus its attention on assembling local opposition groups to help convince communities through phone drives and door-to-door canvassing. That strategy won them a few rounds, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough to topple what had become a well-funded pro casino group.
Now that the state’s gambling laws will remain intact, MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts are expected to formally receive their casino licenses from the state’s gambling commission, paving the way for both companies to begin development of their projects in Springfield and Everett, respectively.
MGM has already announced its plan to spend $800 million to develop its casino in downtown Springfield whereas Wynn Resorts is expected to begin its development of its own $1.6 billion resort and casino on the Mystic River waterfront in Everett.
Meanwhile, Penn National Gaming has the green light to continue construction of its slot parlor in Plainville after deciding to break ground earlier this year despite the looming threat of the repeal.