Boston Mayor Sues Massachusetts Gambling Commission To Stop Everett CasinoMayor Accuses Panel Of Holding Predetermined Bias Against City |
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Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh is joining cities Revere and Somerville in the fight against Wynn Resorts and their planned casino in Everett by suing the Massachusetts State Gambling Commission, accusing them of holding a bias against the city.
Wynn Resorts is planning a $1.6 billion property on the Mystic River just 15 minutes north of Boston. The casino-hotel will have 100,000 square feet of gaming floor space and 550 hotel rooms.
Wynn was granted the license by the State Gambling Commission in September by a vote of 3-1 over Mohegan Sun.
In the 75-page lawsuit, Walsh accuses the commission of breaking the law by not disqualifying Wynn Resorts because of alleged criminal activity. He also states that Boston should have been given the right to vote on the project due to its proximity to the Everett build site.
“With Boston providing the sole access point to the casino site, the vast majority of patrons would be required to drive through Rutherford Avenue and Sullivan Square in Charlestown — an area that already faces severe traffic congestion,” Walsh said.
The commission has repeatedly rejected the notion that Boston should be considered a host city.
“The commission believes that we have reviewed these issues thoroughly, objectively, and fairly, and that exhaustive review helped lead to the decision to award the Wynn license with appropriate conditions,” said spokeswoman Driscoll statement. “The commission continues to believe that our resolution was appropriate but also fully understand that parties who are disappointed in our decisions may want to test that belief through litigation.”
Massachusetts voters had the chance to repeal the 2011 casino law in November, but instead opted to keep the casinos by a 60-40 margin.
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