Wynn Resorts is busy laying the foundation for their future Boston area casino. But a new problem is on the horizon for Wynn in the form of a proposed single slots parlor.
An international developer wants to build a slots parlor in Revere – a Boston suburb – and they plan to fight a Massachusetts law that states there will only be one slots parlor, which operates in Plainville.
Wynn isn’t happy about this because, prior to gaining approval for a $2.1 billion casino along the Mystic River in suburban Everett, another slots parlor wasn’t on the agenda.
“It’s not fair to Wynn Resorts,” said Robert DeSalvio, a top-level Wynn executive. “We came into Massachusetts understanding there would be three casinos and one slots parlor under state law, not three casinos and two slots parlors. Someone shouldn’t come in now and circumvent the law.”
DeSalvio didn’t say how Wynn Resorts would protest the matter – whether through opposition to a statewide ballot or other means.
Developer Eugene McCain is currently fighting for a statewide vote in November that would seek a Revere slots parlor. The establishment would be just 3 miles down the road from Wynn’s Everett casino, which is scheduled to open in 2019.
According to the Boston Globe, Wynn has already put $300 million into the casino, and it would be costly to pull their investment at this point.
If it comes to a statewide vote, there’s a good chance that a Revere slots parlor would gain support. The city itself has long been in favor of adding a slots venue, even with the Wynn set to open up in nearby Everett.
But one Revere resident who’s not a fan of the idea is Brian M. Arrigo, who’s tried to block the election, citing that a local election would cost $50,000. He also wants a different type of development on the proposed property.
A judge has already denied Arrigo’s request to postpone the election on grounds that a potential vote meets all the legal requirements.
Given that there’s both support and opposition, it’ll be interesting to see if a Revere slots parlor comes to fruition.