Rolling the Dice

Rolling the Dice

Coverage of casino licensing and the gambling referendum

Goldberg warns of NH lottery moves

Goldberg warns of NH lottery moves

Says Mass. lottery is 'sitting here like dead ducks'

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STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THERE ARE PROVERBIAL TROOPS amassing at the New Hampshire border and the Massachusetts Lottery is “sitting here like dead ducks,” Treasurer Deborah Goldberg said Tuesday of the New Hampshire Lottery’s move to sell products online and introduce Keno. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu in July signed a bill that seeks to(...)

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Convictions shouldn’t preclude all casino jobs

Convictions shouldn’t preclude all casino jobs

Finding a legislative fix may make for interesting politics

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THE MGM SPRINGFIELD CASINO is scheduled to open late next year, and casino managers are worrying about how they’ll fill all the jobs that will need filling. The big problem: a section of the 2011 casino law that requires the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to prohibit the employment of any casino job applicant who was convicted of(...)

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Worst casino fears coming to fruition

Worst casino fears coming to fruition

Gambling palaces are dangerous to local communities

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IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG for the powerful casino industry to muscle its way into Massachusetts politics. Beginning in the early 2000s, corporate lobbyists began giving unprecedented amounts of money to elected officials on Beacon Hill to convince them to support expanded gambling. By 2009, leadership in the House, Senate, and the corner office all supported(...)

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Wynn changing Everett — for the better

Wynn changing Everett — for the better

Casino will help, not hurt, local businesses

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THE MASSACHUSETTS GAMING ACT was enacted by the Legislature in 2011 specifically to create new jobs, generate new tax revenue, and propel local economic growth. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the entity created by the Legislature and charged with maximizing the potential for the spinoff economic development potential of this new industry, works hard every day(...)

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Are thoroughbreds a good bet for the state?

Summer 2017

Are thoroughbreds a good bet for the state?

Beacon Hill struggling with subsidies for the sport of kings

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TEN HORSES SHOOT OUT of the gate with Simply Mas moving quickly to take the lead. The pack bunches up at the first turn, with Worth the Worry moving up on the inside and Goodbyeguinessbok gaining ground on the outside.  As they head down the stretch, Simply Mas fades and Worth the Worry surges to(...)

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Crosby: Thoroughbred racing can be saved

Crosby: Thoroughbred racing can be saved

Asks lawmakers for control of horse racing funds

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THE STATE’S ON-THE-ROPES thoroughbred racing industry can be resurrected, the chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission said in a letter to the Legislature on Wednesday. Stephen Crosby, the chairman of the commission, acknowledged in his letter that the thoroughbred industry is on the verge of losing its one operating track, which plans to hold only(...)

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Gaming Commission: Hands off horse fund

Gaming Commission: Hands off horse fund

Members seem eager to revive thoroughbred racing

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STILL HOPEFUL THEY CAN REVIVE thoroughbred racing in the state, the members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Thursday said they intend to lobby lawmakers to leave intact a fund designed to prop up the industry. A number of proposals have surfaced on Beacon Hill in recent weeks to tap the Horse Race Development Fund,(...)

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Idle horse race funds attracting interest

Idle horse race funds attracting interest

Senate wants to snatch $15m to help balance budget

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IT’S DANGEROUS TO LEAVE millions of dollars lying around these days on Beacon Hill. Someone is likely to snatch the money. The state’s Horse Race Development Fund is a case in point.  Set up to sweeten the purses of horse races, the fund draws its revenue from a tax on casino gambling. Harness races in(...)

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Wynn: Building in Boston is expensive

Wynn: Building in Boston is expensive

‘We were surprised. We took a lot of bids’

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STEVE WYNN TOLD FINANCIAL ANALYSTS on Tuesday that he has been very surprised at how much it is costing to build his hotel and casino in Everett. As previously reported, the $2.4 billion price tag is up about $300 million since August. But Wynn said the cost wouldn’t be rising anymore. “That’s the end of(...)

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Rosenberg pans casino last call provision

Rosenberg pans casino last call provision

Says casinos relentless in trying to change the rules

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SENATE PRESIDENT STANLEY ROSENBERG said on Thursday he was not a fan of a House proposal that could allow Massachusetts casinos to serve alcohol to patrons for an additional two hours – until 4 a.m. Rosenberg, who shied away from discussing other aspects of the House budget at a meeting with reporters, showed no reticence(...)

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