Politics & Government
UPDATED: Seven Casino Projects Submitted, None for Milford
With a day remaining, a casino proposal for Milford has not been submitted to a state agency reviewing requests. The deadline for the first phase of review is 5 p.m. Tuesday.
UPDATED: By the end of the business day Monday, seven casino or slots projects had been submitted to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for initial review. None are slated for Milford, with one day remaining before the deadline.
The projects submitted Monday include Suffolk Downs in East Boston, and a casino proposed for Everett, by Las Vegas developer Steve Wynn. Both are located in the eastern region of the state, which would put them in competition with any casino proposal that materializes for Milford.
The state will authorize up to one casino in three regions of the state. Milford shares the "A Region" with East Boston and Everett.
Find out what's happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The deadline for casino applications is 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Find out what's happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Original Post:
With two days remaining before the deadline, no casino project designated for Milford has been submitted to the state Gaming Commission.
The process for casino development in Massachusetts, approved by the legislature last year, requires developers to submit proposals to the state's Gaming Commission by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The state ultimately will authorize a casino license for up to one proposal in three regions. Milford is in the so-called Eastern region, shared by another likely casino proposal at Suffolk Downs. The state also will authorize up to one slots parlor.
The initial level of review is aimed at whether the developer has the appropriate financing and integrity for the project, and includes background investigation of key employees and investors, according to the state commission.
As recently as early November, David Nunes, the proposed developer of "Crossroads" in Milford, told the Boston Business Journal he would present a casino development proposal of up to 1 billion, with a new financial partner he would not name.
Nunes is a Colorado-based developer who for several years has wanted to build a casino on undeveloped property off Interstate 495.
Another developer, whose name was not disclosed to town officials, was apparently interested in Milford as a potential location for a slots parlor.
But no proposal aimed at Milford has yet been submitted.
As of the close of business Friday, the following entities had submitted proposals for Phase 1 review, according to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. As part of this application, developers must submit a nonrefundable $400,000 fee.
The state Gaming Commission said it has also received the $400,000 application fee from Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, at Suffolk Downs, but the group has not yet submitted its application.
According to the Gaming Commission, MGM, Penn National and Hard Rock are competing in Western Massachusetts for one of the state’s three resort-casino licenses.
Plainridge Racecourse, in Plainville, wants to compete for the state's slots-parlor license.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
