It’s the Capitalist way.  If one franchise can make lots of money, why not open another?  But is it the same concerning another slot parlor?

Suffolk Downs is back in the casino talk, and horse racing in the state of Massachusetts may on the mend as well, due to the successful start of Plainridge Rark Casino, which was added to Plainridge Harness Race track this summer.  Plainridge Park has live harness racing 3-4 times per week, and simulcast racing daily.

A proposal to allow a second slots casino to be built at Suffolk Downs was among the 22 petitions certified by AG Maura Healey this past week. But residents  in East Boston have repeatedly stopped efforts to revive Suffolk Downs with casino gambling in the form of slots, making it a racino much like those in Delaware, West Virginia and Rhode Island (remember Lincoln Greyhound Park?).  The only way Mohegan Sun and Suffolk Downs made it’s proposal for a full casino for the Boston license, later dismissed by the MGC in favor of Wynn, is because the casino would have been in Revere – a community welcoming casino gambling.

According to Stephanie Ebbert of the Boston Globe, “The petition calls for issuing an additional slots license to a gaming establishment at least four acres large that is within 1,500 feet of an adjacent horse racing track, along with paddocks, barns, auditorium, amphitheater, and/or bleachers. The language even specifies that the track must have “hosted a horse racing meeting,” and that the establishment cannot be separated from a track by a highway.”

Last Saturday, Suffolk Downs, New England’s only thoroughbred racetrack, hosted the first of three days called a Festival of Racing, with 13 horse races, Boston food trucks, music, and gambling.  The hope was to ignite some nostalgia among the track’s clientele and gain support for a possible equestrian center elsewhere in Massachusetts. Organizers said about 6,000 people attended the event.

An interesting problem that seems to be destined to help the tiny horse racing industry in Massachusetts is the large sum of money made at Plainridge Park Casino. According to the Associated Press, “The state’s obscure Race Horse Development Fund has generated roughly $10.3 million in revenue and is on track to receive almost $18 million more this fiscal year.”  Not bad financial help for only two race tracks – Suffolk Downs & Plainridge Park.

So, maybe there WILL be a renaissance of horse racing in the Bay State.  With renewed interest in adding slots to the state’s gambling plan and money designated for horse racing development, Massachusetts may hear the bugle starting call more often in the future.

That’s all for now.

Binbin

Penn National Gaming, who owns Plainridge Park Casino & Raceway in Plainville, Massachusetts & Hollywood Casino, Hotel & Raceway in Bangor, Maine are ramping up its image with increased and improved promotions.  The promotions are many and interesting.  Hollywood alone shows more media connections by offering patrons daily emails of news and promos.

Before the Massachusetts expansion, Hollywood’s Bangor Casino seemed to be riding the tide of being the only hotel/casino in the area, with Twin River Casino in Rhode Island the closest competitor. But with competition from Oxford Casino in Oxford, Maine and Massachusetts, things needed to get serious.  Hollywood’s website and media effort seemed almost like an afterthought – until the last few months.

Now, Penn Gaming is raising the bar in entertainment, dining, and gambling promotions to get you – yes YOU – in the door.

Penn National Gaming, through its subsidiaries, owns, operates or has ownership interests in gaming and racing facilities with a focus on slot machine entertainment. The Company presently operates twenty-six facilities in seventeen jurisdictions, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Ontario.

The company traces its roots to Penn National Race Course, which opened in 1972. As recent as April 2015, the company agreed to purchase the Tropicana for $360 million to gets it’s first pretense on the Las Vegas Strip.

Plainridge has shown success beyond the Bay State’s dreams.  It’s location, newness, and continued push through social media continues to impress – not resting on its summer laurels.  And now, Penn it starting the same social media barrage in Maine – a very needed addition to raise Hollywood in Bangor out of its roller coaster revenue ride.

If you check out the two casino websites, you will find expanded promotions schedules, racing schedules, login ability to check your Marquee Rewards, and more. Entertainment schedules are still included, with many different options through out the week, especially in Plainville.

So, click on the side bar links and get to know Penn’s two casinos – the only two casinos in New England linked by the same rewards club!  And take a weekend this autumn to drive to Hollywood if you live in southern New England.  The hotel is nice, Bangor is a great little town, the foliage should be awesome (don’t wait too long) and check out the Casino.

That’s all for now.

Binbin

Are You ready For Some Football?

Twin River Casino, Lincoln RI – Game Time Hot Seat

Thurs., Sept. 10 | 6pm – 10pm
Sun., Sept. 20 | 1pm – 5pm
Sun., Sept. 27 | 1pm – 5pm

Join us to watch New England’s Favorite Pro-Football Team play and YOU can win too! Twin River Rewards Club members will have the opportunity to win $1,000 in Bonus Play every 20 minutes during New England Pro-Football games. Guests can qualify for this promotion by keeping their Rewards Card inserted into any eligible VLT while playing, and this HOT SEAT will select a random winner every 20 minutes!

Foxwoods – Restaurant Specials

Promotions at four restaurants on Sunday, Monday & Thursday Night NFL nights include dining & drink specials at the following restaurants:  Cedars, High Rollers, Scorpion Bar & Atrium Lounge.  Check Foxwoods website or click on menu above for the link to check specials, dates & hours.

Plainridge Park – Pro Football Challenge

Every Sunday NE Time Gambling will highlight one promotion in each of the SEVEN New England Casinos.

Please note: As always, check for daily updates and news from New England’s seven casinos through NE Time Gambling on Twitter!

THE PICK OF THE WEEK:  OXFORD CASINO

Seafood Buffet  – Saturday, September 19 from 3:00PM To 9:00PM. $34.95 per person  Includes lobster tails and claws, crab legs, Point Judith calamari, haddock and more! Reservations Required, call 207-539-6705.  Could be your last big taste of New England Summer Food!

FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO

TWIN RIVER CASINO

HOLLYWOOD CASINO, HOTEL & RACEWAY

PLAINRIDGE PARK CASINO

NEWPORT GRAND CASINO

TRAVEL MUG & SECRET STASH SWIPE & WIN SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2015. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2015 and Sunday, September 20, 2015 those Grand Rewards members who swipe their Rewards Card at a promotional kiosk may randomly win a Mr. Coffee Travel Couplet and bonus free slot play.

MGM continues to pursue it’s litigation with the State of Connecticut concerning a third casino, saying it “… is the result of an illegal and unfair gaming act…” according to the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.  Essentially, the 14th amendment addresses “Equal justice under law” and mostly refers to states rights against discrimination. According to MGM, this includes the discrimination of commercial competition.  When Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun were allowed to agree to a casino outside their tribal lands, should they have opened it up to the industry?

YES, I say!  Take a page out of Massachusetts playbook, as follows:

• Step 1 – Charge anyone interested the $400,000 application fee.
• Step 2 – Quickly set up voting for community endorsements.
• Step 3 – Whittle away those that Connecticut thinks are not in it’s best interest.
• Step 4 – Pick the casino that they had in mind all along – like Massachusetts did with MGM Springfield & Wynn Everett.

Then everybody’s happy, right?  The process is done – the result is the same.

Basically, MGM is saying this pact denies other industry interests to build a casino in the Nutmeg state.  In 2006, MGM was looking to increase its brand recognition on the East Coast, and partnered in a relationship with Foxwoods. The MGM tower in 2008 at a cost of $700 million.

In 2008, MGM pulled out of its partnership.  According to then MGM spokeman Clark Dumont, MGM wanted to “avoid confusing consumers as it pursues a bid to build its own casino Springfield, Mass.  So, what is so different now?  If MGM is truly concerned for the state’s residents and rights of further casino industry commerce, wouldn’t a MGM casino built in CT now “confuse consumers?”

Of course. This legal strategy IS not only to confuse consumers, but DRAG out the beginning of Connecticut casino threat to MGM Springfield, and GAIN time for it’s already late opening in 2018.

Hypocrites – hiding their real intentions behind a smoke screen of the constitution for their own selfishness.  Their presence in CT with the Foxwoods partnership wasn’t good enough in 2008 – why do they want a chance now?

They really don’t!  They are scared that the CT satellite casino on the border will spoil their party – because the mighty MGM wants the ONLY party.  Hey MGM, have you noticed what’s happening west in New York State?

That’s all for now.

Binbin

Gambling in Massachusetts has already started in Plainville with a successful opening of Plainridge Park casino. But in three years, gambling in Massachusetts, as well as gambling in New England, will explode into one of the most exciting gambling destinations in the country, led by the opening of Wynn Everett.

The Associated Press reported that “construction equipment and workers” began putting in their first appearances late last week.. The Wynn Resorts explanation is that they were there for pre-construction work.  This milestone is an important step toward reversing the neglect on this parcel of land and transforming this barren brown field into a spectacular public waterfront park on the Mystic River.

Wynn spokesmen say it will take them about three years to clean up and build on the former site of a chemical plant on the Mystic River, coming after a public review over the past year.  The gaming commission, Boston mayor Walsh, surrounding cities and towns, as well as Mohegan Sun continue to scrutinize the way Wynn achieved the license.  However, by addressing concerns over traffic & noise on route 93 & Sullivan Square, the proximity to the Boston City line and MBTA entrance on the Boston side, Wynn Everett has satisfied state officials to go ahead.

So, today, we should anticipate what will be another jewel in Steve Wynn’s

incredibly successful portfolio spanning decades of success and innovation in the gaming industry, beginning with the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas.  Wynn expects to spend about $1.7 billion on what it sees as a five-star hotel similar in looks to Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Las Vegas and casino complete with a number of non-gaming amenities. The company has billed it as the largest private development in Massachusetts and the first time it has taken its Las Vegas and Macau business model to a major in U.S. city.

Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria, who has strongly backed the project, said Thursday marked an important day for the project. “It’s a small step, but a first step,” he said. DeMaria said he feels confident that ground will break at the site next spring, assuming this means cleaning the chemical waste site that was originally left by Monsanto.

To Wynn’s credit, no public funds will be used to clean up the site. Wynn is expected to spend $20 to $30 million to clean up the waterfront site along the Mystic River that has been inaccessible and unusable to the public for more than 100 years.

Wynn’s hope is to make this a community place, with a waterfront “greenway”  expected to be a highlight of the Wynn Resort in Everett.  It will include public amenities such as a picnic park, gazebo, viewing deck, pavilion, bicycle and pedestrian paths, retail esplanade with waterfront shopping and dining, water ferry/taxi service to Boston Harbor, living shoreline and more.

Wynn Resorts also earlier filed for permission to build a pedestrian footbridge across the Mystic River, which the Massachusetts gaming Commission is still examining. The bridge would be created for pedestrians and cyclists, but not automobile traffic connecting the city of Everett with the Somerville’s Assembly Square.

As he originally said, Steve Wynn is not in the business of building casinos – he is in the business of creating beautiful resorts that just happen to have a casino attached down the hall.  We’ve seen his creations in Las Vegas and Macau, why would we doubt his ability to succeed with an incredible experience in the Bay State for gamblers and non-gamblers, locals and out-of-towners alike.

That’s all for now.

Binbin

BREAKING NEWS – The federal government yesterday approved an initial reservation for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, including 152 acres in Taunton for an Indian casino. More included below…..

And now back to your regularly scheduled blog post.

———————————————

Revenues were down slightly last month the only open Massachusetts casino – the only casino Massachusetts will have for a while since Wynn Everett & MGM Springfield won’t open until 2018 and the Region C License is still up in the air.

Does this mean it’s not the success they thought it would be?

Oh the horror! …….Nonsense.

If the Massachusetts Gaming Commission were concerned (which they shouldn’t be) we wouldn’t be hearing about the possibility of another slot parlor in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission reported this week that the Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville generated more than $15 million in gross gambling revenues in August – down from about $18 million in July, which was the combination slots parlor-and-harness racing track’s first full month of operation.

September is a typical down month for casinos.  People are back to work, weather gets worse, kids are in school so no extended vacations, and RVers are starting to plan their winter.  Especially casinos depending on local or in state revenue – people are getting back to life’s schedule after summer.

Even Connecticut’s casinos, who had been on a modest roll, showed a slight down August.  It’s natural.

It’s the long haul that Plainridge and Massachusetts should be considering.  Penn National Gaming has increased its promotions at both Plainridge Park Casino and Hollywood Casino, Hotel and Raceway in Bangor, Maine

to keep a steadier traffic flow.  And let’s not forget that Plainridge will benefit from Massachusetts patrons who frequent Twin River Casino in Rhode Island, and Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods Casino Resorts in Connecticut this winter.  Driving in snow tends to keep you closer to home!

So, no panic should set in.  This is a marathon for the next two years. Plainridge Park is off to a fabulous start, but lots of questions remain to be answered:

1. Will Twin River Casino move Newport Grand Casino, which it has purchased, to Tiverton?  Will Tiverton accept the move?
2. Will Twin River get that hotel up and running?
3. Will Massachusetts decide to add another slot parlor to the mix, which was petitioned this past week?
4. Will Connecticut get its third casino or will MGM Springfield win its law suit against the state of Connecticut?
5. Will Region C get a casino?  Will it be in Brockton?  Will the developers still stay around long enough to back it?
6. Will the Mashpee Wampanoags get their land trust and build a casino in Taunton?

Southern New England’s gambling expansion is still in diapers.  Give it time….in two years we’ll see who is schooling whom?

Binbin

PLEASE NOTE – AS I WAS FINISHING THIS POST, The federal government yesterday approved an initial reservation for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, including 152 acres in Taunton for an Indian casino.

According to George Brennan of the Cape Cod Times, the decision is likely to affect whether the Massachusetts Gaming Commission awards a commercial casino bid in Southeastern Massachusetts, the only region in the state not yet approved for a casino license. The commission has just finished accepting comments yesterday on a request by the lone commercial applicant to award a license regardless of the tribal process. This may answer some questions above or raise others.  To be continued…..

When I read MGM Resorts was about to change the plan for their project in Springfield, I thought it would be to compete at a higher level, to make it a resort like Wynn, like Foxwoods and like Mohegan Sun.

Instead, they have decided to take away the hotel tower – the one thing that would scream at I-90 “Here we are, you gotta see this!”

The 25-story glass-facade hotel is being moved to the corner of Main and Howard streets, with the glass-facade hotel design has been abandoned altogether.  The hotel will continue to have 250 rooms despite the change in design from 25 floors to six floors.  According to MassLive writer Peter Goonan, “The lobby would be located on the first floor, adjacent to retail, and guest rooms would be located on floors two through six.”

Now remember, there will still be 250 rooms.  Any idea what kind of modern math MGM is using for this?  Maybe less high-end suites?  Smaller room sizes?

By the way, the parking garage has been downsized to one floor – in the middle of a city! On a busy weekend, where will the parking be?  Will you have to pay?  You can’t put a “Ticket-In,Ticket-Out” voucher from a slot into a parking meter to pay for parking every two hours.

According to Michael Mathis, president and chief executive officer of MGM Springfield,  “We think the changes along Main Street and this new layout is more in line with a true downtown mixed-use development that will make MGM Springfield the premier urban resort in the industry.”

This brings more questions than answers.  Less enticing hotel options will bring buses, day-trippers, and rely on the locals to bring in business.  Ask Atlantic City how that’s working out for them.  And ask the businesses surrounding Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun if their business grew with the casinos expansion.  Simply put, casinos are designed to get you in and keep you in – period.

Some of the latest research points to the fact that urban casinos tend to cannibalize the very local economy that that it is trying to improve, due to the fact that the first “regulars” expected to support the finances of the casino are local. Without an established chain of casinos in Springfield, and no East Coast presence to speak of, MGM will be starting with local dollars – attracting a primarily local or regional audience.  The money that gets gambled away in the casino would otherwise be spent on other entertainment options in the city.

And now they are taking away the memorable lighthouse, the beacon, the form of the resort – the hotel tower.

Let’s face it, gamblers want good odds, easy access, lots of available parking, good amenities and all within the confines of the casino resort.  We’re lazy, we don’t want to walk a lot, we don’t want to leave the casino to eat and take in the culture of the city.  And those that do aren’t spending the amount of money the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and Mass legislators are looking for. These changes might sound good and appease the gambling naysayers & and the historic building communities, but it won’t increase the bottom line – cash for the casino, and cash for the State of Massachusetts.

That’s all for now.

Binbin

Adam Vacarro, from Boston.com., reported that Eugene McCain who lives in Thailand and has agreed to buy a trailer park near the Suffolk Downs horse track in Revere. Suffolk Downs sought last year to become the site of a resort casino, and McCain’s proposed law sets parameters that would make his site a fit for the second slots parlor.

Eric Schippers, a Penn National senior vice president, said in a statement, “We don’t think a trailer park owner from Thailand, who has no affiliation to racing, should get to change the rules in the middle of the game by trying to add a slots parlor at a racetrack.”

Basically, this would mean Massachusetts changing the rules for participation in the Bay State casino movement.  Mr. Vacarro sums it up best saying “A year ago, the first entrants into the young gaming industry in Massachusetts banded together to fight a ballot question that would have made casinos and slots parlors illegal…..Now the companies are lining up for a different cause that could find itself in front of voters next year: to keep another entrant from joining the market.”

The success in Plainville with Plainridge Park Casino seems to be turning minds towards greed and away from market saturation. The success of Plainridge still awaits proof over time.  Check out a previous post “Plainridge Park Casino Future Looks Good – Will It’s Success Last?”

Wynn Everett, MGM Springfield and Plainridge were given their casino licenses considering the rules put in place by the Massachusetts Casino Law in 2011.  Then the three standing casino giants – Wynn Resorts, MGM International & Penn Gaming – had to work together to squelch an anti-casino movement, raising $14 million for a decision in favor of the casino law.  Now, they are being asked to sit back and watch additional players sit down down at the gaming table “mid-shoe” on a positive advantage game.

Suffolk Downs has not participated in this consideration, and both MGM & Wynn has not commented.  Besides, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission still has to deal with the Wampanoag (Taunton) Casino proposal vs. the Brockton casino proposal – both in Region C, which has complicated the gambling industry in Massachusetts further. The confusion in Region C can be seen in “Tribal Casino News in Massachusetts Points to Saturation Problems”

If you pick up a seashell on the New England coastline, instead of the sea waves, you may hear the echos of  a voice saying “New England Casino Saturation” over and over again.  Maybe we should be listening?

That’s all for now.

Binbin

Here it is – “The Days of our Lives” – Mass. gaming industry style.  (Start theme music)  “Like the sands through the hourglass…..”

1. According to the Boston Globe’s Andrea Estes and Stephanie Ebbert,

   Eugene McCain, the secretive figure behind the ballot campaign for a second slots parlor in Massachusetts, has been quietly trying to assemble a broad swath of property near Suffolk Downs, where he hopes to build a luxury hotel and gambling facility.  This would go against the Casino Law of 2011 where only 3 full casinos and one slot-parlor would be the plans. Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby has already expressed doubts about McCain’s plan, telling a Boston Globe columnist: “To change in any fundamental way the basic competitive environment that our licensees, the casino operators, have bought into during their license period, would not be fair. It would be prejudicial.”  For previous coverage at NETimeGambling, click here.

2. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission accepted the final application for resort-casino license in Region C,

   and has now begun the ‘Evaluation Process’ to review final application. Confusion still surrounds the proposal being awarded, with progress made by the Mashpee Wampanoags and their casino in Taunton. While the Brockton application process is complete, due to possible saturation in the area (click here for more coverage & opinion) the MGC has acknowledged the Region C Casino License is not a sure thing.

3. According to Adam Vaccaro of Boston.com,

   the city of Boston is filing another lawsuit against Wynn Everett in another effort to stop the building of the Wynn Everett Resoty. Vaccaro reports the “The suit argues that Wynn’s casino would have adverse impacts on traffic at Sullivan Square

   in the next door neighborhood of Charlestown, a long-time point of contention from the city. It also argues that a plan for Wynn to take over MBTA land in Everett to build a new accessway to the casino will have adverse effects on T operations, and that this impact should have been included in the environmental report that won the state’s approval.”

4. MGM reported that it is changing the appearance of it’s $800,000 casino in Springfield.

   The 25-story glass-faced tower featured prominently in MGM’s winning bid to build a Springfield casino, first cited due to cost, and then historical building considerations. Speculation is that MGM is getting a little too much heat from expected competition from CT expansion, adding a casino in the capital area, or even more north, of Hartford. For more coverage, click here.

5. Congratulations to the the Mashpee Wampanoag

   tribe on its hard-fought, four-year battle to gain federal approval of reservation lands in Massachusetts. An Editorial in the MetroWestDailyNews from Framingham, Mass., calls this a “….historic decision by the U.S. Department of the Interior means much more than just casinos. It allows the tribe to act as a sovereign nation, to govern its land as it did for centuries before English settlers arrived.”  It certainly threw a wrench in the MGC’s casino expansion plan, causing chaos in Brockton, Taunton, and Revere.  The impending move of Newport Grand in Newport to Tiverton, RI. also changes the gaming geography in southeastern New England

And it’s a take!  Nice job everybody, we have them on the edge of their seats!

Binbin

It has not been a good year to be a shareholder in a major casino company. Yet MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren is smiling at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas this week: “We’re doing better”

And despite all the drama MGM has caused in Springfield, Massachusetts, in Connecticut, and for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the head of MGM Resorts International insists the company remains committed to building a casino in downtown Springfield despite a recent redesign that eliminated a 25-story hotel and associated apartments.

The project will still include a 250-room, six-story hotel and 30 to 35 market-rate apartments that will be built in a former school department building that’s been vacant since 2010, MGM President William Hornbuckle said after meeting with Mayor Dominic Sarno. Hornbuckle said that he was disappointed the hotel tower, but obviously the talking heads of MGM would spin it that way. He promised that the casino would still open in September 2018 and provide 3,000 jobs, which I do believe will happen. Will it be the blueprint that was originally expected?…that remains to be seen.

He also dismissed possible competition from a casino proposed for northern Connecticut, not far from Springfield.  But still contends that they ought to be able to build in CT.  “Does Connecticut come into play?” he said. “The answer is unequivocally no.”  Every time MGM dismisses CT’s “box of slots” approach to battle MGM Springfield with their imposed air of passive, over-confident arrogance, (acting as if MGM has nothing to worry about) they turn around looking for more litigation against the Nutmeg State. At G2E in Las Vegas this past week, Jim Murren mocked the proposed satellite operation — “It’s a shopping center, that’s sexy” — while still insisting it could threaten his company’s massive investment.

Must be nice to think he knows everything, and to pass that opinion on to the Las Vegas big wigs at G2E.  It makes no sense that something that will not “come into play” takes so much of their time outside the actual casino project.  He sounded like Greg Hardy of the Dallas Cowboys before getting embarrassed by the Patriots 30-7 – far from the truth but full of arrogant bravado.

• changes plans without consent of the MGC or City of Springfield
• continues to struggle with their casino project in Macau, China
• saw a decrease in it’s Las Vegas revenue
• is building a 20,000 seat arena in Las Vegas, but refuses to build parking, even though the cities residents have asked for parking

After chatting with friends and colleagues recently in Las Vegas concerning their thoughts on Massachusetts’ Gaming Expansion, it seemed to be unanimous – Massachusetts is doing it their way, but not necessarily the best way.  They are running a little scared lately, but are too stubborn to show it. It includes badgering Steve Wynn, making Rush Gaming Developers wait for a Region C decision, and letting MGM

change this and that without approval.  It seems the Bay State’s opinion of Mohegan Sun Resorts follows the same narrow-minded spin.

Bruce Mohl, from Commonwealth Magazine, recently reported in his article “Casino Border Wars” that Mohegan Sun as an underachiever not good enough for Massachusetts.  With the history Mass casinos so far, they would have been so lucky to have Mohegan Sun part of that gambling Plan.

His reasons for such a poor opinion of the Mohegan Tribe’s casinos?  Well, let’s take a look:

1. A key reason for the casino’s success was the large number of customers pouring over the border from Massachusetts. That’s True. But let’s include Maine, NH, Vermont, Rhode Island, NY, and NJ (which took a bite out of Atlantic City).  It’s because both Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun are “Destinations,” unlike Plainridge Park Casino (a box of slots – MGM’s own description) and the proposal in Brockton which represents a mid-level locals casino in Nevada.
2. Not welcome in Palmer.

   Palmer Mohegan Sun applied for the Region A (Western) license of 150 acres of land purchased in Palmer – land that was waste-free (Everett) and didn’t entail bulldozing blocks of historical buildings (MGM in Springfield) and was closer to the newest threat to western Massachusetts. The bid was rejected by 94 votes out of over 5200. Why? It would “destroy the rural character of a town.” So, instead, they mirror the state’s poverty level of 11% and added a Motor Speedway.  Go figure.

3. Not Welcome in Revere. Mohegan Sun joined forces with Suffolk Downs in Revere in a bid to win the eastern Massachusetts casino license, however, Wynn Resorts was chosen to build a casino in Everett. Wynn was great in winning over the Gaming Commission, by criticizing the Revere proposal as Mohegan Sun’s pursuit was “to protect its flagship casino in Connecticut.”

   The MGC believed it, even though the Mohegan Tribe has made Resorts Casino in AC a winner and it’s Mohegan Sun Pocono in Pennsylvania continues to be a success.

4. Protecting It’s Own Casino Interests. Mr. Mohl and the rest of Massachusetts thinks it’s awful that Mohegan would expand to other areas to protect its assetts. But, they just don’t get it.  MGM & Wynn expanded outside of Las Vegas, and they did it to expand their brand.  MGM is looking at Georgia for an additional site, and both are in China. Expanding their brand.  Penn National expanded to Plainville after already owning Hollywood Hotel Casino in Bangor, Maine.  They now own two New England casinos, yet nothing was said about Plainridge Park protecting it’s Hollywood Casino.  The Mohegan Tribe, much like Penn, MGM, Wynn, Caesars’, etc have the right to expand.  If you’re successful in the casino industry, that’s what you do.

Mohl’s bottom line, and I quote, “What all this maneuvering tells you is that Mohegan Sun — and the state of Connecticut — are very worried about the impact of Massachusetts casinos on the casino businesses in Connecticut and willing to do just about anything to blunt their impact.”

If something doesn’t scare you, or threaten you, ignore it? But if it is a concern, pay a lot of attention to it – and that’s just what Massachusetts is doing.  CT knows that more casinos in New England will impact their two large destination casinos, so they are doing something about it.  But Massachusetts continues to look south to CT and south-east to Rhode Island as both states make plans to battle or New England’s gamblers.

Massachusetts is the state most worried about it’s share of the pie.  MGM wouldn’t be trying to stall CT’s third casino and the MGC wouldn’t be considering no Region C license due to the Wampanoag’s casino proposal gaining momentum if they weren’t. Plainridge Park has seen two straight months of decline – a sudden concern – and Twin River & the CT casinos have seen positive revenue in recent months.  MGM says it’s not worried, but continues to cut back its approved proposal in Springfield, and both MGM & Wynn won’t be making money for the Bay State until late 2018.

So who’s doing the most maneuvering and who is the most worried?

I say Massachusetts.

That’s all for now.

Binbin

Just a quick bonus for you.

“Casino Player” and it’s sister publication “Slots Player” cover casinos and gambling across the country and the world.  Every October, they publish “The Best Of…” each area of the country.  Click on Here to get a good overview of the New England Market.

Binbin

Check out complete coverage of New England’s Casinos and all they offer at netimegambling.com

• We have a new look with a hint of Fall Foliage in the Air.
• We have updated our Menu, including our Dining links, Entertainment links, Gambling Strategies, and the “Do’s and Don’t’s” of visiting a casino.
• We have added links from our Las Vegas Friends, as well as great gambling sites to raise your game to a higher level.
• We’ve added staff, with Miguel as our Rhode Island correspondent.
• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

As we continue to grow, NETimeGambling is looking for members of the Maine & Massachusetts gambling community to join us in covering those casinos. Comments, trip visits and even a guest post are encouraged.

I am also cleaning up the archives – changing titles, categories, adding images, and re-publishing some of my favorite and most viewed posts.

It’s all in preparation of my 3rd-year anniversary on November 19th.  Maybe a little get-together might be in order – Plainridge Park or Twin River might do.  I’d love your suggestions for a NETG meeting.

Finally, thanks for helping NETimeGambling to double in traffic, comments and views.

Binbin

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has its hands full, it seems.

MGC Chairman Steve Crosby seems to thing all plans have a chance to work itself out.  The problem is, many others are doubting it will all come to fruition.  In a previous post 5 Reasons New England Gamblers Will Decide Where the Casino Money Goes, John Kostrzewa points to important considerations in New England’s Casino future – something Mr. Crosby and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission should read.

Let’s look at their original plan:

SLOTS ONLY LICENSE – Plainridge Park Casino gets the revenue stream started, keeping Mass gamblers in state and luring way Rhode Island gamblers.  So far, it has been very successful while seeing a decline each month after its opening.

REGION A LICENSE – Wynn is hand picked after sending home Caesars, then allowing the glitz of Vegas to dismiss Mohegan Sun.

Wynn is now starting the clean-up of the old Monsanto waste site, in litigation with numerous parties, and considering changes to its proposal as this is posted.

REGION B LICENSE – MGM Resorts is chosen in Springfield, only to have unapproved changes made, and delays estimated to put off the opening for three years.  Connecticut continues to pressure the MGM project with a third Casino of its own in a joint effort from Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods – somewhere withing the vicinity of 30 miles from Springfield.

REGION C LICENSE – Only Brockton remains, but hasn’t been given the license because of the rebirth of the Wampanoags Taunton project.  The MGC is taking a wait and see path, as Twin River bulks up with additional tables, added poker room, a hotel, and possibly moving Newport Grand to Tiverton – across the border from Plainridge Park in Plainville.

How is this all panning out?  Originally, four Mass. casinos would be looting & pillaging CT & RI casinos by 2017.  But it’s not looking like the plan is on track.

The main concern at this time for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is should a Region C license be awarded at all.  According to MGC Chair Steve Crosby, “They can coexist……They would cannibalize one another. Neither one of them would do as well.”

But the main concern here isn’t casinos, community involvement, traffic, or lawsuits.  It’s cash, moolah, the almighty buck.

Under the compact between the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Massachusetts, the state would collect 17% of the tribal casino’s gaming revenues, compared with 25% of revenues from the commercial casino. However, the tribal casino would not be required to pay taxes if a commercial casino were to open in the same region. Which would mean the same number of gamblers, but half the revenue to the state. Would the MGC deny Rush Gaming a chance in Brockton because the Mashpee Wampanoags project looks more likely to happen than three months ago? Is one large Tribal casino better than two casinos – tribal and commercial – co-existing?

Remember, the Massachusetts  Casino Law in 2011 didn’t become law because the Massachusetts legislature thought adding the devil of gambling to its list of tourist attractions, it was the greedy devil from within to get their Bay State money back that had been spent by Massachusetts patrons for years in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

I guess it’s not that easy to build a casino and hear the stream of money drop into Massachusetts coffers.  Dear Mr. Crosby, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Or,  as Spock said in Star Trek, season 2, episode 1 (“Amok Time,” 1968) , ““After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but is often true.” –

That’s all for now.

Binbin

Casino expansion for two Gaming Company’s projects in New England are seemingly following two different paths to deal with competition.

On one hand, you have the Twin River Management Group.  They own Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI., Newport Grand Casino in Newport, RI, The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi, MS, & Arapahoe Park in Aurora, CO. The smallest industry rep of all 6 casino operators in New England thus far.  Their mission is to keep increasing its competitive energies into positive ventures.  Basically become a larger fish in the still small pond of New England gambling. Twin River Casino’s plans have already included

• adding poker tables
• making the 2nd floor non-smoking
• adding two more dining venues,
• a future of a hotel on-site.

TWMG released recently their plans for Tiverton, RI.  If they are approved in the lengthy process of getting approval to move the Newport Grand license to Tiverton, it would greatly solidify Rhode Island’s gaming revenue and put real competition on everyone from Plainridge Park Casino, just over the line in Plainville, Massachusetts

to extending their influence on Foxwoods in Connecticut. Twin River expects more from Massachusetts, but that would include those for table games that have been loyal until a year ago to the CT casinos.

Their proposal has been influenced by 40-odd meetings around town, according to John Taylor, the head of Twin River in Paul Grimaldi’s article in the Providence Journal. The Tiverton Casino would include an 85,000-square-foot casino with 1,000 VLTs (slot machines) and 32 table games. It would be attached to an 84-room hotel. Both the hotel & the table games are additions to what Newport Grand offers.  According to Sean Murphy of the Boston Globe, “renderings made the proposed casino look like a tastefully designed suburban shopping center rather than a blaring neon intrusion on the rural feel of this erstwhile farming community of 8,000.”

ProJo’s Grimaldi writes, “For the casino plan to move forward, the Town Council would first have to vote to ask the General Assembly to place a referendum on the November 2016 statewide ballot. That referendum would have to be approved both by Tiverton residents and by voters statewide. Even if it wins those approvals, the casino proposal then would have to go through the normal town and state regulatory approvals for new construction projects…..The casino would generate $104 million to $148 million in revenue in year 2020, depending on how gambling expands in Massachusetts, according to Twin River consultants…..A minimum of $3 million from slots and table games revenue would go the Town of Tiverton, with a total of approximately $4 million annually when including real estate and other taxes, according to a Twin River statement.”

The video released a few days ago shows the proposal.  One important part is how remote, surrounded by trees, and not taking away from the Tiverton countryside. For the complete proposal document, click here on Tiverton Casino Proposal. If you’d like to see the shorter and more entertaining video click here. However, if you want to read click ‘s great article for Tiverton-Little Compton Patch, click here.  

Tomorrow, I’ll look at the different trend that MGM Springfield is taking.  It makes for quite the comparison.

Until tomorrow, hit a royal flush, then come back to visit N.E.Time Gambling.com

Binbin

A picture paints a thousand words – so the saying above goes. A recent picture from the Boston Globe Staff creates the unfolding story of the New England Gambling Industry, with multiple endings. Study the picture below before reading on.

Besides the placement of working & proposed casinos in New England, this picture shows where the battle lines are drawn, or where loyalty lines may be crossed.

Geographically, potential winners and losers can be expected. Here are some random thoughts concerning the possibilities:

1. Is it not a wonder that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is hesitating on issuing the Region C license to Brockton?
2. The Mashpee Wampanoag building a resort casino so close to Brockton outs Brockton between two big casino projects – Wynn Everett & Taunton.
3. Penn National’s Plainridge Park could carve its own niche because of the lack of table games.
4. Moving the Newport Grand to Tiverton with a hotel attached fortifies the Eastern Front for Rhode Island, and bad news for the Massachusetts casino group.
5. The Addition of a third Connecticut Casino in the Hartford area makes the CT River battle a two horse race – however, the loyalty programs of Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun might keep CT gamblers in-state for the most part.  MGM, however, has a national MLife Rewards program that couls have value east to west.
6. Entertainment venues are far enough apart not to compete.  Twin River, Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, MGM Springfield and Wynn Everett probably won’t get in the way of each other concerning concert & club venues.
7. If Maine can’t stabilize it’s two casinos so far away from southern New England, they definitely don’t need a third.

Finally, and the most important part, is the number of possible gambling option in Southern New England should cause fierce competition.  And guess who the biggest winner should be?

Well, the gambling consumer, of course.

That’s all for now.

Binbin

I want MGM Springfield to succeed.

There, I said it.

I want it to bring revenue for an economically needy city, I want it to be beautiful and to enhance the rundown parts of Springfield.

I want it to be another casino jewel in New England to solidify southern New England as a gambling/tourist destination.  MGM, Wynn, Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, Twin River – all large casinos with amenities to provide for vacations & stay-cations alike.

But I still have doubts to accompany the excitement of a top-class resort venue and their journey to 2018.  So here are random thoughts about the MGM Springfield project and related issues:

The original plan video can be seen here. The original plans were impressive, but now take away the tower, lower the parking garage by two floors, and move the apartments in the opening of the video further away from the casino.  Inside, MGM Springfield looks similar to Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas (Sumerlain), with restaurants outlying the casino, and the essential “Center Bar” made so by the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas long ago.  It has modern looks like MGM’s latest “Aria,” but much brighter.

VIDEO CLIP – MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis explains changes.

Will MGM & Wynn be powerful enough to influence a repeal to the “NO Happy Hour” Law in Massachusetts?  Imagine no alcohol freebies on a casino floor owned by MGM & Wynn – blasphemy!

MGM is a giant in the gambling industry and shouldn’t have any trouble separating their concerns in Macau & Las Vegas.  But their project in Atlanta, the first casino in Georgia, might be more of an interest than Springfield.  Massachusetts hasn’t been the most welcome state in the country concerning Wynn & MGM’s interests.

I’m encouraged about then East-West connection the rewards club, MLife, will provide.  Earning points in Springfield that can be used in Las Vegas & Biloxi (MGM owns Beau Rivage Resort Casino there) is exciting!  Let’s face it, MGM does own some incredible properties.  Imagine earning connections to stay at Bellagio in Las Vegas!

MGM dismisses everyone else in New England (except Wynn) as no competition. Eliminating the hotel tower is disappointing.  Yet, their “hotel on its side” plan idea is supposed to be the thing that distinguishes them from the Foxwoods & Mohegan Suns of the world.  Sorry MGM, we know you are big stuff in the gaming industry, but rationalizing a downgraded hotel as game changing in the casino industry is just insulting.  New Englanders just aren’t that naive and stupid.

Speaking of the comparison to Connecticut’s casinos, if the Nutmeg State’s casinos (including a third in the Hartford area) are not a threat to MGM Springfield, why the law suit, why the comparisons to CT instead of watching out west to New York State, and why say you want a casino in CT (Bridgeport) only to have pulled out of Foxwoods?  Hypocrisy I say.

Changes in design plans DO happen all the time, and rising costs are sighted as the reasons for these changes – whether it’s a Mall, housing project, or a casino.  I’m more concerned with what MGM is going to bring to gamblers.  So, MGM, I ask you – what advantage do I have spreading my money in Springfield compared to other New England options?

Will MGM have the same poor to mediocre Video Poker paytables that are in all their other properties?  The exception is Borgata in Atlantic City which they share with Boyd Gaming. You’re going to have to make your gambling options better if you seriously want to compete with CT & RI.

I wonder what plans MGM Springfield has concerning smoking.  The options provided for smokers at Plainridge Park seem almost punitive.  Massachusetts Casino Law has the entire casino as non-smoking.

I have so many other thoughts, questions and requests concerning MGM Springfield, but they will just have to wait.

My brain hurts, time for a break.

Tomorrow its a look at Thanksgiving dining promotion at New England’s casinos.

Binbin

Quick, before it’s too late!  Black Friday is Here!

Yesterday we brought you many general suggestions with places to find those suggestions.  Today we take a page from Gaming & Destinations Magazine and add to it for some specific ideas for your gambling family & friends.  These gifts range from $7.00 to $200, 000!  Some included have special Black Friday Sales online.

Christophe Claret Gaming Watches

GG_Watch_InteriorThe firm offers watches based on three primary casino games: poker, baccarat and blackjack, each of which have two other games built as well. The watches are limited-edition and contain close to 700 individual pieces each.  THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF POCKETBOOK! Brace yourself – Around $200,000. Yes. $200,000. To check them out, click here.  (Cool note – They even have an option that includes a special crystal that reveals an etching of a dealer when it’s breathed upon.)

Slot machine charger and dock – ON SALE TODAY FOR $19.95!  Know a gamer who still lugs around an iPhone or iPod Touch 4S or earlier? Help them charge their tech in casino style with this slot-machine charger and dock. A slots app can be downloaded for realistic play, and the lever works to help release the device from the cradle. They may not win any money from it, but at least they may not feel so bad about being two iPhone generations of iPhone behind. $34.99. www.newpotatotech.com

VideoPoker.com premium membership – If you know someone who enjoys playing video poker, there’s no better gift than a premium membership at VideoPoker.com. A silver membership is $24.95 for a year, but that simply eliminates advertising on the site.  This introduces VP players to all the newest Video Poker Games and has a training tutor for most you find in the casino. VideoPoker.com

Strategy Cards – This is a great stocking stuffer. The best thing about basic strategy cards is that most casinos will let players use them at the table.  Table games such as Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette as well as Video poker are great additions to gambling trips.

Gamble Safe Gambling Box  – by Gamblebox. Lets You Lock up Your Cash Wins so You Can’t Access the Money Until You Get Home From the Casino.  Have trouble spending that money you’ve won?  This is for you!  Leave Your Key Home Slip Folded Cash Bills in the Gamblebox Open At Home with Keys the Casino Secret to Not Gamble Back All Your Money Small and Large Winnings Helps Gambler Addiction Gambling Problem Help Gamblers Better. List Price: $28.95, Black Friday Price – $19.95 + $4.98 shipping www.amazon.com 

GG Umbrella/InteriorKing of Clubs Umbrella –  A premium double-layer umbrella features a traditional beech wood shaft and handle with a metal runner and tip cup. The plate is stylishly engraved with the London Undercover logo. $150. www.londonundercover.co.uk

BigMouth Inc 100 Dollar Money Funny Toilet Paper – If you lose hundreds of dollars, you can rest assured you have a roll of $100 at home to help you when you really need it. On sale today for $7.00 and free shipping.  In case you have to pay for shipping your pants, at least there’s no additional shipping here! www.amazon.com 

History Chips ‘The Greenbacks’ Poker Chip Set – For the guy who loves US history almost as much as he loves his weekly poker game, these cool chips are a creative gift idea. They’re also a nice option for novice poker players who forget what color each chip is valued at in a more traditional poker set. Each chip features a figure from US history: the same figure that’s on real US currency. www.amazon.com

Vintage-style sign: Poker Bluffing – Simply, a fun sign for your poker star. The enameled paint on the 12.5” x 16” tin sign is attractive and very durable. $14.99. www.posterrevolution.com

GG Glasses – InteriorRoyal Poker Glasses – Royal’s Poker Sunglasses are brand leading glasses designed and developed for playing poker in low lit conditions. Our poker sunglasses provide complete shielding of the eyes while brightening the room at the same time. Their glasses wont give away tells and provide vastly improved vision through our lenses unique brightening agent. Our poker glasses offer the best all-round support for long poker sessions or tournaments.. $89.95-$149.95. www.royal-eyewear.com

LLF 24K Gold-Foil Plated Playing Cards – Available in a black or mahogany box, these beautiful and emblazoned playing cards are 999.9 24K gold foil and arrive with a certificate of authenticity. TODAY,’s sale between $7 – $10!! Usually $18.99. www.amazon.com

Love your gamblers with a special gift that interests them.

Might I add that that a first-class flight to stay at the best Bellagio Suite for three days in Las Vegas, eating at the best restaurants might be the best gift ever, but I think winning PowerBall may be a prerequisite.

That’s all for now.

Binbin