Meetings Will Impact Casino Plans Near Somerville

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The circumstances surrounding proposed casinos near Somerville could clear up early this week.

The Revere City Council was scheduled to hold a meeting Monday night on whether to move forward with a casino at Suffolk Downs, according to BostonHerald.com and MyFoxBoston.com.

And on Tuesday, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission was scheduled to meet, and possibly vote, on whether to allow the Revere proposal to continue, the Herald reported.

What happens in Revere will determine whether another casino proposal, on Somerville’s doorstep in Everett, will have competition for a license to operate or whether, as the only remaining proposal in the Greater Boston region, it becomes the winner by default.

All eyes on Revere

MyFoxBoston said officials from Revere, Suffolk Downs and Mohegan Sun outlined plans Monday for a new Revere-only casino proposal at the racetrack.

There’s been confusion over the Revere casino proposal after residents in East Boston, on Nov. 5, voted against the planned casino at Suffolk Downs, which would have straddled Revere and East Boston. Voters in Revere approved the proposal.

After the defeat in East Boston, Suffolk Downs altered its plans and proposed, instead, a casino that would be built entirely in Revere. It also established a last-minute partnership with Mohegan Sun to develop and run the casino, according to the Boston Globe.

Another Massachusetts casino proposal by Mohegan Sun was voted down, in Palmer, in November.

If the Revere casino proposal is allowed to move forward, it will compete against the Wynn Resorts proposal in Everett for one available casino license in the Greater Boston area. Voters in Milford—the site of a third Greater Boston casino proposal—voted down a Foxwoods plan in November.

If the Revere casino proposal doesn’t move forward, the Wynn casino will be the only remaining proposal vying for the Greater Boston license.

Although the Gaming Commission could rule as early as this week, it’s possible the commission takes more time to make a determination, BostonHerald.com said.

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