According to reliable sources Genting Malaysia Bhd, one of the leading Asian leisure and hospitality companies, is about to ink a deal authorizing it to run the soon-to-be-established casino resort, located in Taunton, Massachusetts.
In a special filing, Genting Malaysia revealed that it is to be appointed as a manager of First Light Resort & Casino, but before that, it had to receive the approval of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Once the company gets Commission’s nod, its license will be valid for seven years commencing from the opening of the property. Currently, the casino is under construction after the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe managed to overcome all administrative hurdles and obtained the necessary approvals.
Genting Malaysia revealed that the property it will be responsible for will feature a fully integrated casino venue as well as a hotel, plenty of shopping and entertainment facilities.
If everything goes in accordance with the initial plan, the property will be opened in several phases. As for the casino itself, it is to spread over 150,000 square feet and players will be able to choose between 40 poker tables, 3,000 slots, and 150 gaming tables.
The First Light Resort & Casino property is to feature as many as 900 hotel rooms. These 900 rooms will be divided into three hotels – a luxurious one, a mid- range one and a family hotel where guests will be able to enjoy a water park facility.
Representatives of Genting Massachusetts revealed that the casino is expected to open sometime in 2017 while the rest of the project is to be completed by 2020. If these plans are materialized, First Light Resort & Casino will be the first full-scale casino property on the territory of the Bay state.
In addition, Genting Malaysia announced that it has invested almost $250 million in notes, issued by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Gaming Authority. The company clarified the investment and confirmed that it does not have an equity interest in the project. However, the investment notes enabled the company to expect a better return on the funds it has invested so far.
Genting Malaysia also confirmed that its involvement in the gaming sector of Massachusetts will be beneficial for company’s ventures in the US. If Genting Malaysia receives the necessary approval, Taunton casino in will be the third property it runs on the territory of the US. Genting Malaysia is also in charge of casinos located in the Bahamas and the United Kingdom.
