April 27, 2016—The leading gambling regulator for Massachusetts did not like the Brockton Resort Casino proposal. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is supposed to vote on the casino license for a third and final casino project in Massachusetts. However, Stephen Crosby, commission chairman, was unfavorable Wednesday with regards to the license.
Crosby held a presentation, where he critiqued the resort casino plan. The project is $667 million. It is supposed to provide a gaming and entertainment venue; however, Crosby called it a “convenience casino” that has not set itself apart from other casinos, nor has it paid homage to the city and state it will be based in.
Crosby felt the proposal of the building isolated it from Brockton. For example, he stated the restaurants could not be accessed from outside doors. People would have to go through the casino to eat at the restaurants.
Crosby further stated that Rush Street Gaming, who is responsible for the facility along with George Carney, did not demonstrate that the casino would be operated up to the commission standards.
Crosby felt the application was designed to say “trust us, we will do good things,” without actually showing any of those “good things.” In the presentation, he compared the proposal to MGM’s casino in Springfield, which has included several city blocks into the plan.
The casino, according to Crosby, sits in a large parking lot, isolated from other community options, and does not provide an urban or economic renewal/development plan that would benefit the city. Crosby felt the companies in charge of the plan would see the Springfield casino and be influenced by it.
Carpenter, who is the Mayor for Brockton, had a different opinion. He did not think Crosby’s criticism was fair and the casino will provide an economic step up for the city. The vote will be coming soon to determine if the plan or any plan will earn a license.