Rolling the Dice

Coverage of casino licensing and the gambling referendum

Audio: Casino gaming splits governor candidates

Three Dems oppose repeal, one in favor

By Bruce Mohl 0 Comments May 22, 2014

The Democratic candidates for governor are split on casino gambling, with one opposed, one in favor, and two somewhat reluctant supporters. At a forum this week with four of the five Democrats running for governor, the casino question prompted one of the sharpest exchanges. Click here for audio of the gubernatorial forum. The segment on(...)

No Eastie’s letter to Cunha, Galvin

Counsel calls for collusion probe

By Matt Cameron 0 Comments May 16, 2014

I am writing as pro bono counsel for No Eastie Casino, a group of concerned citizens organized to oppose casino development in the Greater Boston region formerly registered as a municipal ballot question committee. This letter and all attached supporting documentation are filed in support of a formal request that the Inspector General’s office investigate(...)

Gaming Commission: Boosterism or bias?

Your perspective depends on your view of the agency

By Bruce Mohl 0 Comments May 15, 2014

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is taking a lot of heat from Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and others for failing to be objective, but the perception of bias may stem from differing views about the appropriate role of the commission. Walsh and other critics of the commission want it to act much like an impartial jury,(...)

Casino bidders credo: by any means necessary

By CommonWealth Staff 0 Comments May 15, 2014

True, Jean-Paul Sartre, who is credited with coining the phrase in his 1948 play Dirty Hands, had loftier ideas in mind — the abolition of class distinctions. So, too, did Malcolm X, who launched the line into popular culture when he delivered it in a speech on blacks’ determination to win fully equal standing, less(...)

Crosby says “no reason” to resign

Gaming commission head says he can do other work on the panel

By Gabrielle Gurley 0 Comments May 15, 2014

Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby said Thursday that there is “absolutely no reason on earth” for him to resign. The commissioner, who has been under fire for his decision to attend a Kentucky Derby Day party at Suffolk Downs, said that he considered stepping down. However, after discussions with the other members of the(...)

Tackling tie votes

Gaming Commission to explore ways to resolve deadlocks

By Bruce Mohl 0 Comments May 12, 2014

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission, left with an even number of members after Chairman Stephen Crosby recused himself from votes on Greater Boston casino licensing issues, is going to try to come up with a procedure for dealing with tie votes. A spokeswoman for the commission confirmed that the tie-vote issue will be taken up at(...)

Host status hinged on lease provision

Mohegan Sun, Suffolk Downs deleted controversial item

By Bruce Mohl 0 Comments May 9, 2014

Mohegan Sun beat back a bid by Boston to win host community status for a Revere casino in part by removing a provision from the secret lease agreement between Mohegan and Suffolk Downs that would have allowed the track to turn over its horse racing operations to the casino operator. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted(...)

Wynn won’t fight casino ballot question

“It’s inappropriate for us to work it,” Wynn says

By Bruce Mohl State Government 0 Comments May 8, 2014

One big name – Wynn – is missing from the forces mobilizing to fight a ballot question that would outlaw casinos and a slots parlor in Massachusetts. Wynn Enterprises did not help fund the attorneys who are arguing before the Supreme Judicial Court to keep the question off the ballot and the company is saying(...)

Gaming panel denies Boston host status

Surprise Mohegan-Suffolk lease provision removed

By Bruce Mohl 0 Comments May 8, 2014

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission adopted a narrow interpretation of state law on Thursday in voting 4-0 to deny Boston host community status for proposed casinos in Revere and Everett. The vote dealt a stinging rebuke to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and denied voters in East Boston and Charlestown the chance to decide the fate of(...)

Walsh-Wynn disconnect

Boston’s mayor tries to ramp up last minute talks with casino developers

By Bruce Mohl Municipal Government 0 Comments May 6, 2014

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is trying to ramp up last-minute negotiations with the area’s casino developers, but so far he’s not having much luck with Wynn Enterprises. Walsh says Wynn, the company proposing to build a casino in Everett, refused to attend a meeting with him scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. But Wynn officials say it(...)