Casino gambling in Massachusetts
In the Cards: Our new blog covering Mass. gaming
Globe reporter Mark Arsenault tackles casino development and gambling issues in his frequently updated blog.
Pictures: Past, present and future of Suffolk downs
See what's changed at the site, which first hosted horse racing in 1935 and could end up with one of the state's three resort casino licenses
Message boards
Key events
Jan. 15, 2013
Dec. 20, 2012
Aug. 10, 2012
July 11, 2012
May 9, 2012
Nov. 22, 2011
Nov. 16, 2011
June 2, 2010
April 14, 2010
April 15, 2009
March 20, 2008
September 17, 2007
August 24, 2007
February 15, 2007
July 28, 2007
- A big decision for a small town
- Photo gallery A town decides
July 30, 2006
- IDEAS Hedging their bets
- Chart The steps to casino approval
- Graphic Connecticut casino spending
Latest coverage
Springfield mayor backs MGM casino proposal
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno today said he's chosen the $800 million casino plan as the city’s candidate for the Western Massachusetts license. (4/30/13)
- 1/11/13 Hard Rock unveils plans for casino at Big E site
- 10/11/12 Penn National pitches $807m Springfield casino
- 8/21/12 MGM Resorts' $800m Springfield plan
- The Big Story MGM unveils Springfield casino plans
- Graphic Western Massachusetts casino proposals
Everett, Wynn unveil deal for casino
Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. said $25.2 million annually from the proposed casino would boost city tax revenues "by pretty close to one-third." (4/25/13)
- 3/27/13 Rendering unveiled | 1/8/13 Menino scoffs at plan
- 12/20/12 Wynn Resorts signs option for Everett tract
- 12/12/12 Everett: Wynn close to short-term lease for parcel
- 11/28/12 Malden, Medford worry about Route 16 traffic
- 11/28/12 Wynn: No deal yet | 11/26/12 Wynn pursues site
Pictures
Proposed Mass. casino locations
Developers vying for the state's three casino licenses are proposing facilities in a number of locations.
Wampanoag tribe loses exclusive hold on Southeastern Mass. casino license
The state gambling commission will solicit bids from gambling companies interested in competing for development rights in the region.
(4/18/13)
- 4/4/13 Panel delays vote on extending tribe's exclusivity
- 3/19/13 Patrick, tribe revamp deal for Taunton casino
- 2/12/13 Fed decision could help boost casino's cause
- 1/13/13 Interior decision due soon on Taunton reservation
- 7/11/12 Tribe, Patrick reach casino agreement
Milford selectmen press Foxwoods officials for details on casino plan
The town's top selectman said he has seen no substantive effort to show firm details of the local resort casino proposal, or to address the town’s concerns. (4/10/13)
- 4/10/13 In the Cards: Hopkinton piles on
- 2/17/13 Partner in Milford proposal promises details
- 2/9/13 Casino opposition pops up in Milford
- 1/20/13 Late casino pitch revives debate in Milford
- Pictures Plans for Crossroads Casino complex
Suffolk bid takes hit from shareholder
One of Suffolk Downs' largest stakeholders is divesting its 19.9 percent share because its executives don't want to submit to required background checks. (3/28/13)
Casino tycoon eyes Worcester for slots
Chicago casino tycoon Neil Bluhm has settled on Worcester for a planned slot machine parlor, the first gambling business proposed for central Mass. (3/13/13)
Slots parlor representative discusses proposal with Danvers selectmen
A representative of PPE Casino Resorts said the Liberty Tree Mall parlor would employ up to 700 and wouldn't require any property expansion. (2/9/13)
11 apply for Mass. casino licenses
At least three proposals (Suffolk Downs, Everett, and Milford) will vie for what is expected to be the most lucrative casino license in the state. (1/15/13)
- 1/12/13 As deadline nears, more show interest in licenses
- 6/14/12 Economists: Mass. can support planned casinos
Everett, Revere vie for casino license
Neighboring cities with deep roots in Italy are the battleground in a fight between Vegas titans for Eastern Massachusetts' sole resort casino license. (1/13/13)
- 1/13/13 Jammed local roads will be key in impact talks
- Chart Everett. Revere: Comparing the populations
- 1/8/13 Suffolk backer Menino scoffs at Everett plan
Mohegan Sun to pursue Palmer casino
Mohegan Sun's owners have found a new backer and will apply to build a gambling resort in Palmer, the Connecticut casino's top executive said. (1/14/13)
Suffolk Downs pays $400,000, applies
Long the leading contender for casino development rights in Greater Boston, the track has submitted its non-refundable $400,000 application fee to the state. (8/10/12)
Previous coverage
- Taunton endorses Mashpee Wampanoag casino (6/9/12)
- Not everyone in East Boston all-in on casino (6/6/12)
- Suffolk Downs unveils $1b casino resort plan (6/5/12)
- Procasino group outspends opponents 175 to 1 (6/5/12)
- Milford residents show little opposition to casino (6/3/12)
- Rocky rollout to era of Massachusetts casinos (6/2/12)
- Abuse claims lead McGee to quit gaming board (5/9/12)
- Kraft, Wynn end pursuit of Foxborough casino (5/8/12)
- Casino opponents gain in Foxborough election (5/7/12)
- Tribe pitches $500 million casino in Taunton (4/26/12)
- Last 2 seats on state gaming board filled (3/20/12)
- Casino law filled with tight deadlines (3/19/12)
- Wynn made his fortune through bold moves (3/11/12)
- Middleborough wants compensation from Wampanoags (3/8/12)
- Wynn hopes plan wows, wins over Foxborough (3/3/12)
- Taunton leaders hope city cashes in on casino (3/1/12)
- Holliston prepares challenge to casino plan (2/23/12)
- Casino developers contend with traffic concerns (2/21/12)
- Perceived clout may deter Suffolk's rivals (2/16/12)
- In casino fray, neighboring towns have no voice (2/7/12)
- Holliston among towns worried over casino plan (1/29/12)
- Hard Rock looks beyond Holyoke (1/18/12)
- MGM Resorts to seek western Mass. casino (1/11/12)
- Foxborough casino floated in summer 2011 (1/5/12)
- Pictures Suffolk Downs' past, present, future (12/28/11)
- Foxborough selectmen: No negotiations with Steve Wynn (12/27/11)
- Mass. gaming threatens Foxwoods, Mohegan (12/26/11)
- Foxborough's neighbors on edge over casino proposal (12/22/11)
- Casino backers make pitch to Foxborough (12/13/11)
- Analysts: Casino next to Gillette Stadium unlikely to corrupt game, team (12/5/11)
- Steve Wynn, Bob Kraft make case for Foxborough casino (12/5/11)
- Op-Ed: Independence crucial to gambling commission (12/3/11)
- Casino could be boost to Patriot Place (12/3/11)
- Steve Wynn has golden touch, deep pockets (12/3/11)
- Foxborough residents say a casino would be too much (12/2/11)
- Lawmaker against using public funds for Foxborough rail service (12/2/11)
- Governor signs casino bill into law (11/22/11)
- Patrick: Board may not give out all 3 licenses (11/22/11)
- Developers lay groundwork for casinos (11/17/11)
- Mass. lawmakers approve casino bill (11/16/11)
- Panel files final version of casino bill (11/14/11)
- Casino bill would aid wealthier school districts (10/21/11)
- State Senate passes expanded gambling bill in 24-14 vote (10/13/11)
- State Senate kills 5-year ban on taking casino jobs (9/27/11)
- Bill calls for $25 million to fight gambling addiction (9/22/11)
- State may give up millions to casinos (9/14/11)
- State antes up on casino talks (9/14/11)
- Michael Levenson: Thinned opposition could lead to swift casino passage (9/2/11)
- Kyle Cheney: Conn. lawmakers consider response (9/2/11)
- DeLeo’s shift helped pave way for deal (9/2/11)
- High stakes for gambling licenses (9/2/11)
- Casino provision for tribe sparks debate (9/2/11)
- State leaders agree on casino bill (9/2/11)
- Joan Vennochi: Path is clear for slots, casinos (8/31/11)
- Gambling projections far from a sure bet (8/27/11)
- Gambling interests spending big (8/25/11)
- Racetrack deal may stoke debate (4/14/11)
- Mashpee Wampanoag tribe hires Delahunt as lobbyist (3/11/11)
- Hopes fade for casino bill (8/26/10)
- Casino foes warily savor a seeming victory (8/6/10)
- Debate on use of US funds could revive casino talks (8/5/10)
- Joan Vennochi: Greed, ego, power plays in casino bill (8/5/10)
- Baker says, if elected, would file own casino proposal (8/4/10)
- For workers and towns, casino loss stings (8/4/10)
- Graphic Casino proposals (6/16/10)