The State panel of Massachusetts announced that the casino licence was given to Wynn Resorts due to the fact that their project in Everett is more compatible to the rules and regulations, issued by the state authorities.
Three out of four commissioners agreed that the license should be given to Wynn as the other pretender – Mohegan Sun didn’t live up to the requirements, announced last week.
The Mohegan Sun’s authorities were planning to build a Suffolk Down located casino. Having said that, the commissioners have decided that Wynn’s project is more likely to bring benefits to the Boston area by helping the economy and creating more career opportunities for the local people.
James McHugh, the Commission’s Chairman, was the member who was not on the same mind about the Wynn’s project. He had concerns related to the heavy traffic and the environment, which would undoubtedly cause serious problems in case Wynn gets the licence. Later on Steve Wynn, the owner of the Wynn Resorts, commented that the McHugh argument doesn’t hold water: “we’ll do our best to ensure that Judge McHugh’s worst fears are not realized.”
The fact that Wynn promised to ensure more than 4,300 work places and a payroll equal to $170, 000 million was one of the main reasons for becoming a winner.
A representative of the opponent, Mohegan Sun, said that they were devastated upon hearing the Commission’s decision. According to them such a project will result in lost jobs and bankruptcy of many family businesses.
Later that year, the voters will have another opportunity to reconsider the new law and stop the casino building procedures.
The Attitude of the Local Communities
Actually, the reactions of the Everett residents were divided into two categories – approving and disapproving. While some of them were excited that new career opportunities will be provided, others were really worried about the future traffic issues. “He’s going to revitalize Everett, he’s going to put in waterways, he’s going to clean up the Mystic River. What more can you want?” – said a local resident.
Although the job opportunities promised were the main factor for giving the license to Wynn, many people consider such a goal to be unrealistic bearing the current situation, that made several casinos, located in the region close, in mind.
The opponents of the Wynn’s plan are impatient to see what the decision of the voters in November will be. They expressed their hopes that there is a chance Wynn’s intentions to be ruined.
The plan of the Wynn Resorts authorities is to build a luxurious resort in the vicinity of Everett. The hotel will have a great number of rooms. More than 3000 machines and 170 table games will be available in the casino.
Although the Mohegan Sun’s proposal was not accepted, the plan of the managers was to build an upper class casino and a hotel that would have 550 rooms and 1200 slot machines more than Wynn.
The Commission, responsible for giving licences, is allowed to let no more than three casinos and just one slot parlor operate within the state of Massachusetts. However, no license has been issued for a casino, located in the southeastern part of Massachusetts so far.
