(NECN) – There were two major defeats for casinos in the Bay State Tuesday night. Palmer residents did not approve a casino in their community and East Boston also squashed hopes for a casino at Suffolk downs.
In order for a casino to be at Suffolk downs, both Revere and East Boston had to vote ‘yes’ to the plan. Revere said ‘yes,’ but 56 percent of east Boston said ‘no.’
One person said, “We’re East Boston, we’re scrappy. But we shouldn’t be having this predatory industry come in and suck money out of the economy.”
52 acres of the casino project would have sat on their land. So with an East Boston vote of ‘no’, proponents are looking towards the open arms of Revere.
Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo said, “I have already had some preliminary conversations with Suffolk Downs about reshaping the project and putting it in Revere only. And I plan on working with the Gaming Commission in any way I can to support the affirmative land use vote that was taken by our residents and the city today.”
It's unclear if the ‘yes’ vote from Revere will be enough to pursue a casino proposal there. Proponents say this is a ‘Hail Mary’ pass to keep the plan alive.
Chip Tuttle, COO of Suffolk Downs said, Mayor Rizzo called tonight. He’s very excited about the results in Revere. He wants to talk to us and he indicated he’d like to talk to the Gaming Commission about what options there may be on the Revere side of the property.
Local
If the revere plan can come together it would have competition from the already approved Wynn proposal in Everett. On Nov. 19, Milford residents are scheduled to vote on a Foxwoods proposal as well.
