The legislative session has concluded, and unfortunately, the bill proposing the addition of a fourth casino region in Massachusetts has not been successful.
According to State Sen. John Cronin, he has submitted his bill, S258, for study. However, he revealed to Play MA that the bill is currently stagnant and unlikely to progress further.
Cronin stated that the bill has been forwarded for further study, with no current intention to incorporate its language into another bill. He confirmed that the bill will not be considered further during this session, rendering it inactive.
Cronin’s proposed legislation aimed to introduce a new casino within the vicinity of Leominster.
Fourth district could bridge gap, lure NH gamblers
If everything goes smoothly, a gambler can cover the distance from Leominster to Encore Boston Harbor in an hour. However, in case of bad weather or accidents, this commute could easily take twice as long.
Cronin’s bill proposes the expansion of casinos in Massachusetts, specifically in Leominster or nearby areas like Fitchburg, Lunenburg, or Ashburnham. This would create an opportunity for a brand-new casino in the region.
According to Cronin’s statement to Play MA, residents of Worcester County and Southern New Hampshire face a disadvantage due to the current delineation of the three regions.
Cronin stated that based on an independent economic impact study, the current regional setup fails to adequately cater to the needs of residents in Worcester County and southern New Hampshire. Therefore, the proposed plan aims to bring back central Massachusetts players who have left the state and also draw in new players from the southern New Hampshire market.
Currently, the state has three designated casino regions along with two fully operational casinos. Region A encompasses a vast area from Worcester County to the Atlantic Ocean, but it halts at Plymouth and Bristol counties. These two counties mark the northern boundary of Region C, which covers all areas south of the Norfolk County line, including the cape. Region B comprises all territories situated to the west of Worcester County.
Encore Boston Harbor, the most prominent casino in the state, is located in Region A. Region B is home to MGM Springfield, while the slots-only Plainridge Park Casino is situated in Region C.
Building a new casino in the Leominster area offers multiple advantages. Firstly, the residents of this region are situated at a minimum one-hour distance from all existing state casinos. This geographical distance serves as a significant selling point for establishing a casino in Leominster. Furthermore, by being sufficiently distant from other casinos, the potential new establishment would not adversely affect the revenue generated by those existing casinos.
Furthermore, the strategic placement of a casino near the northern border of Massachusetts would potentially attract funds from gamblers residing in New Hampshire.
Casino could be big boost to area
Cronin identified three advantages of having a new casino established in the Leominster region:
- Construction jobs
- Permanent jobs
- Tourism dollars
He anticipated that it would create “thousands of new job opportunities in the construction sector.” Upon its inauguration, it would offer numerous “well-paying jobs” to the local community. Gradually, it would generate essential tax revenue to sustain the region.
Cronin stated that the implementation of this project will enhance tourism and yield millions of dollars annually for the local economy and tax base. Consequently, this will lead to a multiplier effect on economic growth in North Central Massachusetts.
The local development firm, Leominster Development Group, supports the bill. Additionally, the proposal stipulates that the casino must be situated on a site that spans at least 70 contiguous acres. This provision appears to prioritize larger casino developments.
Senator optimistic despite expected pushback
Currently, the casino revenue pie in Massachusetts is divided into three slices. Introducing a newcomer to this revenue pool through a new district will inevitably provoke opposition. However, Cronin appears unfazed by the critics.
Whenever something new is presented, it’s only natural to encounter resistance. However, I firmly believe that once the complete argument is presented, the merits of this proposal will prevail.
Cronin remained vague about the future of the bill beyond this legislative session, refraining from providing any specific details.
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