Gaming lawsuit about 'fairness of law' Raynham Park owner George Carney says
Taunton
Gazette File Photo | Rory Schuler |
George Carney owner of Raynham Park.
By Joseph Markman
The Enterprise
Gerry Tuoti
Wicked Local Newsbank Editor
Posted May. 15, 2014
RAYNHAM — George Carney says the lawsuit he filed last week to block Penn National Gaming from opening its planned gambling facility in Plainville is not about sour grapes.
“I don’t file frivolous lawsuits,” Carney said. “I thought long and hard before I filed the suit because I realize I have to deal with the Gaming Commission on a daily basis.”
Dog racing, once a major draw at Raynham Park, was banned by voters in 2010. Since then the park has remained open largely by way of revenue from simulcast racing, in which guests bet on dog and horse races happening in other states.
Carney said he has not heard from the commission since filing suit, and said he is not concerned about angering regulators with his lawsuit.
“I am strong enough to handle and conduct a good operation here,” he said.
The lawsuit, filed last Friday, calls for the state’s Supreme Judicial Court to revoke the slots license issued to Penn National. The commission awarded the slots license to Penn National in March on a 3-2 vote, with Carney’s Raynham Park getting no votes.
Carney claims that Ourway Realty, the disqualified former owner of Plainridge Racecourse, will continue to profit once the slots parlor opens in 2015.
The Gaming Commission banned Ourway from seeking a license last summer after state investigators accused Plainridge president Gary Piontkowski of pocketing more than $1 million from the track’s cash room over a 10-year period.
The lawsuit claims an agreement between Ourway and Springfield Gaming will provide Piontkowski a percentage of the gambling operation’s earnings “in perpetuity.”
“If you were disqualified on a Monday, they shouldn’t put you back in on Tuesday,” Carney said. “You’re either in or you’re out.”
Spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said Thursday that the commission has been formally notified of the lawsuit, but that she could not comment on pending litigation beyond saying that the commission’s attorneys are reviewing the matter.
Penn National, which operates casinos and slots parlors in several states, plans to open the $225 million Plainridge Park Casino by next spring.
Eric Schippers, a spokesman for Penn National, said in a statement earlier this week that Carney’s claims are “legally and factually deficient.”
“Given that the Carney proposal did not garner even a single vote, I’m not sure what they’re ultimately trying to accomplish,” Schippers said.
Carney said that if Penn’s license is rescinded he hopes to be back in the running, but could not say for certain.
“That I couldn’t give you the answer to,” Carney said. “Whether I’m chosen or not chosen again, that’s not the issue.”
Gerry Tuoti is the Regional Newsbank Editor for GateHouse Media New England. Email him at gtuoti@tauntongazette.com or call him at 508-967-3137.
http://www.tauntongazette.com/article/20140515/NEWS/140517224/11155/NEWS
The Enterprise
Gerry Tuoti
Wicked Local Newsbank Editor
Posted May. 15, 2014
RAYNHAM — George Carney says the lawsuit he filed last week to block Penn National Gaming from opening its planned gambling facility in Plainville is not about sour grapes.
“I don’t file frivolous lawsuits,” Carney said. “I thought long and hard before I filed the suit because I realize I have to deal with the Gaming Commission on a daily basis.”
Dog racing, once a major draw at Raynham Park, was banned by voters in 2010. Since then the park has remained open largely by way of revenue from simulcast racing, in which guests bet on dog and horse races happening in other states.
Carney said he has not heard from the commission since filing suit, and said he is not concerned about angering regulators with his lawsuit.
“I am strong enough to handle and conduct a good operation here,” he said.
The lawsuit, filed last Friday, calls for the state’s Supreme Judicial Court to revoke the slots license issued to Penn National. The commission awarded the slots license to Penn National in March on a 3-2 vote, with Carney’s Raynham Park getting no votes.
Carney claims that Ourway Realty, the disqualified former owner of Plainridge Racecourse, will continue to profit once the slots parlor opens in 2015.
The Gaming Commission banned Ourway from seeking a license last summer after state investigators accused Plainridge president Gary Piontkowski of pocketing more than $1 million from the track’s cash room over a 10-year period.
The lawsuit claims an agreement between Ourway and Springfield Gaming will provide Piontkowski a percentage of the gambling operation’s earnings “in perpetuity.”
“If you were disqualified on a Monday, they shouldn’t put you back in on Tuesday,” Carney said. “You’re either in or you’re out.”
Spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said Thursday that the commission has been formally notified of the lawsuit, but that she could not comment on pending litigation beyond saying that the commission’s attorneys are reviewing the matter.
Penn National, which operates casinos and slots parlors in several states, plans to open the $225 million Plainridge Park Casino by next spring.
Eric Schippers, a spokesman for Penn National, said in a statement earlier this week that Carney’s claims are “legally and factually deficient.”
“Given that the Carney proposal did not garner even a single vote, I’m not sure what they’re ultimately trying to accomplish,” Schippers said.
Carney said that if Penn’s license is rescinded he hopes to be back in the running, but could not say for certain.
“That I couldn’t give you the answer to,” Carney said. “Whether I’m chosen or not chosen again, that’s not the issue.”
Gerry Tuoti is the Regional Newsbank Editor for GateHouse Media New England. Email him at gtuoti@tauntongazette.com or call him at 508-967-3137.
http://www.tauntongazette.com/article/20140515/NEWS/140517224/11155/NEWS
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