Casino Decision Expected Friday

The Mass. Gaming Commission is expected to make its long-awaited decision Friday (or next week) about which company — Mohegan Sun/Suffolk Downs in Revere or Wynn Resorts in Everett — will receive the casino license for the Greater Boston area. Winthrop town officials and residents will no doubt be following the MGC meeting as the four members of the commission (Chairman Crosby has recused himself) make this important decision that will have an impact on our town.

From the outset, the casino has been about the creation of thousands of jobs for the local economy beginning with the construction phase and continuing when the casino/resort opens for business. Those part-time and full-time jobs in the hospitality and gaming industry will be most-welcome and many Winthrop residents will consider applying for these jobs.

The town has participated in this process from the beginning with our Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo and State Sen. Anthony Petruccelli leading the crafting of the casino legislation that insured that Winthrop would be considered a “surrounding” community and thus be eligible for mitigation funds.

The town has debated the casino issue thoroughly and Town Manager James McKenna, Council President Peter Gill, and the Council did a commendable job in keeping in close contact with Suffolk Downs officials and inviting them here to speak directly with residents at meetings and public forums.

Now the process is in the final stage and the townspeople — and people across the state — await the ultimate decision of the Mass. Gaming Commission.