MASSACHUSETTS APPOINTS CASINO CONSULTANTS

29 February 2008

Outside bidding process used to select independent report on proposed casinos


The contentious Massachusetts debate on whether to accept Governor Deval Patrick's proposals for three land casinos in the state took an interesting turn last week with the announcement that an outsourced expert report had been commissioned by the state.

Opponents of the governor's proposal immediately criticised the move, claiming that the governor was hiring a pro-casino firm in a preemptive strike. But administration officials said the firm is independent and stressed that it was hired through an outside bidding process. Despite having extended the period when groups could bid on the contract, Spectrum Gaming of New Jersey was the only group to respond.

The firm is being paid $189 000 by the state to analyse the governor's plan to license three casinos in Massachusetts and is expected to complete its study within two to three months, reports the Boston Globe.

But Casino Free Mass, a coalition of organisations opposed to casinos, called on Patrick yesterday to rescind the contract, alleging that the organisation is biased.

"This is just another example of how the casino industry tries to control the information and rig their games," Doug Bailey, a spokesman for the group, said in a written statement. "This study, whatever it says, will be dead on arrival."

"Spectrum Gaming is an independent, third-party firm with specific expertise in the gaming industry," said Kofi Jones, spokeswoman for the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. "Most of their work is on behalf of government agencies around the world, where they have performed extensive economic-impact and feasibility studies."

Spectrum Gaming has been hired by a wide range of groups, including Harrah's Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands, both of which are hoping to develop in Massachusetts. The firm has also been hired by government agencies studying casinos, including Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, and California, according to the firm's website.

Opponents have frequently criticised the Patrick administration's projections that three casinos would generate 30 000 construction jobs, 20 000 new and permanent jobs, and $400 million in annual state revenues.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa