CHARLTON, Mass. – The identities of two companies interested in developing a resort casino in Massachusetts agreed to release their identities, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reported Wednesday.
The Seminole tribe of Florida and Pa.-based Penn National Gaming are among four companies that have expressed interest in a nearly 115-acre property located on Route 20 in Charlton. Paul P. Nicolai, who holds an option on the property, released the names to the Telegram after the two companies agreed to be identified.
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The announcement comes as Massachusetts lawmakers work toward a compromise of gaming bills in the House and Senate that would allow casino gambling in the Bay State.
“We have been looking all over, essentially because we do not know what the final legislation will be,” Eric Schippers, senior vice president of public affairs for Penn National Gaming, told the Telegram & Gazette. “We have not circled any one property on the map.”
The Senate bill would divide the state into three zones, with one casino allowed in each. Nicolai has expressed concern over the Senate version of the bill because it would place Charlton in the same zone as Boston which, Nicolai said, would be difficult to compete with.
Penn National has 24 facilities – including casino gaming, horse racing and off-track wagering facilities – in 11 states as well as Ontario, Canada.
The Seminole Tribe owns and operates five casinos in Florida as well as Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos. The tribe acquired Hard Rock International in 2007.
Nicolai told the Telegram that both companies have the financial ability to develop a new resort and casino in the Bay State.
In Rhode Island, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri recently vetoed legislation that would have offered a casino referendum to state voters on the November ballot. The Ocean State bill had been spurred by initiatives to approve casinos in neighboring Massachusetts.
