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
Video
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
Everett backs casino plan
By a landslide vote of 5,320 to 833, Everett voters endorsed a $1.2 billion gambling resort proposal from Las Vegas developer Steve Wynn. (6/22/13)
- 5/25/13 Everett mayoral candidates disagree on deal
- 4/25/13 Everett officials, Steve Wynn unveil casino deal
- 4/11/13 Malden council to discuss Everett casino plan
- 4/9/13 Everett mayor wants casino vote in June
- 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
- 12/5/12 Not all in Everett crazy abut casino idea
- 11/28/12 Malden, Medford worry about Route 16 traffic
- 11/28/12 Wynn: No deal yet | 11/26/12 Wynn pursues site
State hires problem gaming expert
A well-credentialed problem gambling specialist will hold high-level post running the commission’s efforts to prevent and combat compulsive gambling. (5/28/13)
Pictures
Proposed Mass. casino locations
Developers vying for the state's three casino licenses are proposing facilities in a number of locations.
Milford passes on nonbinding casino vote
Town Meeting voters declined to take a vote on a citizens petition to express opposition to the siting of a casino on 200 acres along Interstate 495. (5/21/13)
- 5/2/13 Holliston, Medway consider options on casino
- 4/10/13 Milford selectmen press Foxwoods for details
- 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
Mashpee tribe releases new rendering
The drawings come as the gambling panel is expected to discuss a schedule for bids from commercial casino companies south of Boston. (5/14/13)
- 4/18/13 Tribe loses exclusive hold on SE Mass. casino
- 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
Group shot down in Boxborough vows to keep seeking license for slots parlor
The Cordish Companies is one of four groups seeking the state’s sole slots parlor license. (5/14/13)
Suffolk Downs casino talks stall
Negotiators for Suffolk Downs and city officials remain “miles apart” on how much money a casino at the East Boston track should pay to the city. (6/4/13)
- 5/14/13 Conley: Citywide vote on Suffolk casino
- 3/28/13 Developer divests interest in Suffolk project
- 8/10/12 Track pays $400,000 deposit, seeks license
UMass team to measure casinos' effect
A University of Massachusetts-Amherst team will conduct a $3.64 million research project on the economic and social effects of permitting casinos in Massachusetts. (5/9/13)
Springfield mayor backs MGM proposal
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno 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
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)
Previous coverage
- Mashpee Wampanoags, Patrick reach casino deal (7/11/12)
- 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)