The state Gaming Commission Thursday is slated to review a breakthrough agreement between Boston and Wynn Resorts that smooths the path for a planned $1.7 billion casino in Everett.
Under the agreement, reached last week, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh promises to end legal efforts to block the casino on the city’s northern doorstep for $400,000 more in annual payments from Wynn Resorts.
The increase would raise the yearly payments to Boston to $2 million, money meant to compensate for increased traffic and other impacts. The agreement removes the last major impediment to the casino, which is projected to create thousands of new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue. The gaming commission must approve the agreement for it to take effect. In 2014, the gaming commission awarded the coveted Greater Boston casino license to Wynn Resorts over a rival proposal from Mohegan Sun at the Suffolk Downs racetrack in East Boston. In opposing the Everett casino, Boston’s lawyers said the gambling commission’s decision to award the license to Wynn Resorts was the “product of a corrupt process,” and said it deliberately favored Wynn Resorts by violating state statutes and gambling regulations.Boston representatives are expected to present the agreement at the commission’s meeting in downtown Boston.Sean P. Murphy can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Follow him on Twitter @spmurphyboston.< Prev | Next > |
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