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Bay State Casinos Could Be 10 Years Away: Expert

Delays Cast Uncertainty Upon Massachusetts' Casino Industry

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Artist Rendering Of MGM SpringfieldThe state of Massachusetts legalized three Las Vegas-style casinos and one slots parlor in 2011, but the casinos could still be years away, according to a report from The Boston Globe. Though ground has been broken, a casino from MGM wouldn’t open until 2018 at the earliest.

“The debate over whether to legalize casinos went on for over a decade in Massachusetts, and now it’s starting to look like the implementation period is going to be just as long,” Clyde Barrow, a scholar at the University of Texas, told The Globe.

The MGM casino in Springfield reportedly is delayed because of highway construction, while the Wynn project just outside of Boston has stalled because Boston is suing over it out of fear of traffic jams. Both casinos received state licenses to begin development.

A developer for a possible third Las Vegas-style casino hasn’t been picked.

A slots parlor called Plainridge Park Casino did open in Massachusetts in June and has been successful. Neighboring states have been looking to beef up their respective industries since Massachusetts years ago indicated it wanted to try and keep the gambling dollars within its borders. The delays reportedly could cost Massachusetts up to $1 billion.