Massachusetts: Another Back Room Deal?

Patriots owner Robert Kraft: “I don’t want to say anything” about potential casino
By Noah Bierman, Globe Staff


Robert Kraft was evasive, and a bit cryptic, this afternoon when asked about the potential for a casino on land he owns across from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

“I don’t want to not say anything. I don’t want to say anything,” he said, when pressed by a reporter more than once for his thoughts about a casino on his property.

Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, was approached as he was standing in Governor Deval Patrick’s waiting room, along with other major business leaders who meet regularly with Patrick to offer advice on the state’s economy. Kraft had not previously been asked directly about the potential for a casino in Foxborough.

His comments will do little to quiet speculation about the potential for Kraft, one of the state’s most powerful businessmen, to play a role as the state prepares to usher in casinos.

The Patriots’ owner also saw a silver lining in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers. Despite not playing their best game and facing a hostile Pittsburgh crown, the Patriots, he said, came close.

The Kraft Group, which owns the team and the stadium, also owns property across from Gillette that is now used for a parking lot. In recent months, Kraft’s attorneys drafted zoning changes in the town of Foxborough that would have permitted a casino on the property.

Both the Krafts’ spokesman and the town manager had said they drafted the zoning changes at the town’s request, after the town manager had been approached separately by unnamed casino developers. The Foxborough Board of Selectmen had declined to advance the zoning changes, amid what many said was widespread opposition in the community.

The National Football League forbids owners from owning casinos. But the league does not have a policy on leasing or selling land near a stadium to casino operators.

Massachusetts is on the verge of legalizing resort-style casinos. The House and the Senate have both approved bills allowing three casinos and one slot machine parlor. The sides are reconciling differences and are expected to deliver a bill to Patrick later this month.