The Massachusetts Gaming Commission regroups Tuesday to continue discussion on awarding a license for the sole casino in the Boston area.
The commission asked Mohegan Sun and Wynn Resorts to change their proposals, and commissioners are now considering the responses.
Las Vegas insider Steve Wynn has a big personality and recognizable style that he wants to bring to traditional Boston in the form of a slim, 27-story glass tower on the shores of Everett. But the Massachusetts gaming commission called the design "uninspired," “stale,” and "atrocious," and, in a report, asked for a revamp.
Wynn Resorts, in its response, defended the design as bold and with visual impact.
"Gratuitous insults such as characterizing the building as 'atrocious' severely undermine the professionalism and credibility of the report," the company said.
In a follow-up email to the commission, Wynn Resorts softened its stance, saying it will propose alternative designs. It also responded to the commission’s concerns about traffic congestion in the area by offering more money.
Mohegan Sun, in its response, said it will fulfill the commission’s request to add $100 million in equity. But it declined to market the Massachusetts casino at its flagship in Connecticut.
Now the ball is in the Gaming Commission’s court. Commissioner James McHugh said he would give a proposal's economic development potential the greatest weight in reaching a decision on which one wins the license.
"Jobs and revenues," McHugh said. "That’s what this was designed to do. Yield revenues to the state and create jobs and bring people in here.”
Members have asked Mohegan Sun and Wynn Resorts to appear at their meeting today to address outstanding questions. Boston College associate professor Richard McGowan, who’s written books on legalized gaming and was on the 2002 state commission to explore expansion, says the commission could extend the process.
"They can keep on negotiating as long as they want," McGowan said. "Maybe they will try to see, wait it out, see if there won’t be better proposals eventually.”
Meanwhile, Massachusetts bishops have issued a statement reiterating their opposition to gambling expansion. They say it would threaten local businesses and weaken the moral fabric of society. It was also important to the bishops to point out some casinos in other states have declining revenues, says James Driscoll, executive director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference.
"Proponents are making the argument that if it’s not going to solve all the economic problems in the state, it’s going to go along way toward doing that," Driscoll said. "And we just want to point out the reality that casinos now have peaked and they’re starting to slide in revenue. Just in 2014 alone, five out of the 12 casinos in Atlantic City look like they’re going to close."
Driscoll says the Catholic community will continue to urge Massachusetts citizens to vote on the November ballot to end gambling expansion altogether.
