Caesars is $20 BILLION [not million] in debt and their entire cash flow goes to debt.
"While all eyes, minds and hearts ares still focused on Boston - the MA Gaming Commission snuck off to the country to unanimously vote to put developer background checks on the back burner and not require them to be complete prior to referendum votes. Essentially - they think it's ok for us to vote to entrench an entity into our communities for at least 15 years without knowing who/what they are! No Eastie Casino, we're #Boston Strong - and fighting to keep you informed. While MA Gaming Commission is focused on business - we're focused on keeping East Boston a safe place to work, live, raise a family and develop a business. "
Mohegan Sun: Massachusetts Gaming Commission vote not expected to speed up casino process in Palmer
An artist's rendering of the proposed Mohegan Sun Massachusetts casino resort that would be built in Palmer off Massachusetts Turnpike Exit 8. (Mohegan Sun)
By
on April 18, 2013
on April 18, 2013
PALMER — Even though the Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved an emergency regulation to allow communities to hold a casino vote before background checks on the potential casino operators are completed, it won't speed up the process in Palmer, where Mohegan Sun wants to build a casino.
"It doesn't affect any change for us," J. Gary Luderitz, vice president of operations and development for Mohegan Gaming Advisors, said.
Luderitz, along with Charles F. Bunnell, chief of staff for the Mohegan Tribe, attended the Gaming Commission's meeting held at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School on Thursday. Bunnell said they are aiming to have a host community agreement ready for July. A vote still is anticipated for September, Bunnell said.
"We want to make sure we have all the appropriate facts," Bunnell said.
Town Manager Charles T. Blanchard said it would not be impossible to hold the vote as early as the June 25 special U.S. Senate election.
"It's certainly up to the applicant to decide if they want a referendum," Blanchard said.
Blanchard has been meeting at least once a month with Mohegan officials as part of the host community agreement process [behind closed doors]. The agreement will detail conditions for building in Palmer and the responsibilities of the gaming operator.
District 4 Councilor Donald Blais Jr. said, "I have full faith in Charlie that he's going to do a great job for us." ....who has no experience!
The Palmer Citizens Casino Impact Study Committee determined that the annual cost to host Mohegan Sun would be $18 MILLION to $39 MILLION, excluding the estimated $50 MILLION to bring water from the Quabbin.
Council President Philip J. Hebert questioned why a vote would be held before a project would even be considered suitable. Hebert said he thinks it makes sense to wait until the investigations are complete.
James L. St. Amand, community liaison for Northeast Realty, which is leasing the 150 acres off Thorndike Street across from Exit 8 of the Massachusetts Turnpike to Mohegan for the project, said once the host community agreement is in place, a referendum should be held.
"The sooner, the better," St. Amand said. "As long as the community can have that opportunity to review the host agreement."
The commission's previous longstanding policy was that communities had to wait until the ethical and financial investigations of casinos were over before finalizing agreements with developers and setting dates for ballot questions.
Under the new emergency regulation approved by the commission, a community's governing body would need to vote to approve moving forward with a ballot question before the commission finishes the background investigations.
The community would also have to hold a campaign to educate voters that the referendum was being held before the completion of background checks.
No election can be held until at least 60 days after a city or town finalizes an agreement with a casino company.
In Springfield, MGM Resorts and Penn National Gaming are planning casinos in the South End and the North End, respectively. As part of its plan, Penn National has an option to buy properties from The Republican and Peter Pan Bus Lines.
Hard Rock International also is proposing a casino resort on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.
Staff reporter Dan Ring contributed to this story.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/massachusetts_gaming_commissio_19.html
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"It doesn't affect any change for us," J. Gary Luderitz, vice president of operations and development for Mohegan Gaming Advisors, said.
Luderitz, along with Charles F. Bunnell, chief of staff for the Mohegan Tribe, attended the Gaming Commission's meeting held at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School on Thursday. Bunnell said they are aiming to have a host community agreement ready for July. A vote still is anticipated for September, Bunnell said.
"We want to make sure we have all the appropriate facts," Bunnell said.
Town Manager Charles T. Blanchard said it would not be impossible to hold the vote as early as the June 25 special U.S. Senate election.
"It's certainly up to the applicant to decide if they want a referendum," Blanchard said.
Blanchard has been meeting at least once a month with Mohegan officials as part of the host community agreement process [behind closed doors]. The agreement will detail conditions for building in Palmer and the responsibilities of the gaming operator.
District 4 Councilor Donald Blais Jr. said, "I have full faith in Charlie that he's going to do a great job for us." ....who has no experience!
The Palmer Citizens Casino Impact Study Committee determined that the annual cost to host Mohegan Sun would be $18 MILLION to $39 MILLION, excluding the estimated $50 MILLION to bring water from the Quabbin.
Council President Philip J. Hebert questioned why a vote would be held before a project would even be considered suitable. Hebert said he thinks it makes sense to wait until the investigations are complete.
James L. St. Amand, community liaison for Northeast Realty, which is leasing the 150 acres off Thorndike Street across from Exit 8 of the Massachusetts Turnpike to Mohegan for the project, said once the host community agreement is in place, a referendum should be held.
"The sooner, the better," St. Amand said. "As long as the community can have that opportunity to review the host agreement."
The commission's previous longstanding policy was that communities had to wait until the ethical and financial investigations of casinos were over before finalizing agreements with developers and setting dates for ballot questions.
Under the new emergency regulation approved by the commission, a community's governing body would need to vote to approve moving forward with a ballot question before the commission finishes the background investigations.
The community would also have to hold a campaign to educate voters that the referendum was being held before the completion of background checks.
No election can be held until at least 60 days after a city or town finalizes an agreement with a casino company.
In Springfield, MGM Resorts and Penn National Gaming are planning casinos in the South End and the North End, respectively. As part of its plan, Penn National has an option to buy properties from The Republican and Peter Pan Bus Lines.
Hard Rock International also is proposing a casino resort on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.
Staff reporter Dan Ring contributed to this story.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/massachusetts_gaming_commissio_19.html
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