Suffolk Downs COO Chip Tuttle shows off a model of the proposed Revere-only Mohegan Sun casino plan before the plan was presented to the state gaming commission.
Credit: Michael Naughton/Metro
Two leaders in the casino gaming industry touted their plans for revenue sharing, jobs and revitalizing downturned areas in their effort to win over the members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
Casino mogul Steve Wynn of Wynn Resorts and executives from Mohegan Sun put on their best show for the state gaming commissioners on Wednesday as the gambling leaders fought for only one casino license in Greater Boston.Both Wynn Resorts and Mohegan Sun gave approximately 90 minute presentations to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and revealed some more details about their plans for casinos in Everett and Revere.
The commission is expected to award a license in May.
Mohegan Sun, which is proposing a casino located on 42 acres of Suffolk Downs in Revere, presented first and highlighted their ties to New England and Boston. They showed about five short video presentations, one of which ended with Dropkick Murphys “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.” The crowd of more than 100 supporters started clapping to the song.
“This marriage of Mohegan Sun Massachusetts with Revere, it isn’t like it feels like home, it is home. It’s where we’re from,” said Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority Chairman Robert Brown. Brown began his presentation to the commission by talking about going to Fenway Park and the Boston Garden as a child.
Planners and designers with Mohegan Sun said the casino would have two hotels, intimate lounges, “high octane” dance clubs and casual pubs.
Wynn, who is proposing a $1.6 billion resort casino on a contaminated waterfront site in Everett, spent as much of his time talking about his own proposal as he did taking shots at Mohegan Sun’s plan. He also put emphasis on the non-gaming revenue that his casinos generate.
“It’s the place, the magic of the place, that does it and in order to make the place, the magic, you have to know how. So you don’t build three star [resorts], you build 5 star [resorts],” he said.
Wynn highlighted his company’s name and ability to control many aspects of the entire resort as the single owner. He also highlighted how his resort would be on the waterfront and have access to water transportation.
Wynn Resorts President Matt Maddox highlighted the company’s ability to attract high tier clients. He said that in 2013 international customers generated $5.5 billion in gaming revenue.
While voters in Everett have already approved of a Host Community Agreement, Mohegan Sun still has to win a new vote in Revere scheduled for next month.
Follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike.
