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Requests for Public Comments

Previous Request Seeking Public Comment: Timeline

Should the Commission move its Category 1 application deadline from its current projected December 31, 2013 date to a date in the beginning of December to be able to incorporate additional time needed to resolve issues such as disagreements between applicants and surrounding communities?   Could the Commission move up this Category 1 application deadline even earlier, perhaps to the beginning of November?  

Recently, the Commission drafted protocols and procedures to enable potential surrounding communities and gaming applicants to reach a surrounding community agreement if one has not been reached by the time of an application. Although the protocols and procedures are designed to be efficient, they will take a substantial number of days that need to be incorporated in the schedule for the award of licenses. In order to do so, the Commission recently asked for comments on moving its Category 1 deadline ahead by approximately one month from the current December 31, 2013 to the beginning of December 2013.  However, in the discussion about moving the date to early December, it was asked if the date could be further moved to the beginning of November.

We ask those who choose to comment to provide specificity in their responses.    For example, the Commission urges applicants to provide their current draft timelines, including items such as the anticipated date for the execution of a host community agreement, the anticipated date for the referendum, the projected period for negotiation and execution of surrounding community agreements, and detail on what time is necessary before and after the referendum for items such as local and state permitting and application preparation.    Similarly, the Commission urges any host or potential surrounding community choosing to comment to provide similar specificity.   For example, host communities could inform the Commission about any local constraints that would impact the scheduling of a referendum.   It is noted that potential surrounding communities are subject to limitations in predicting timelines because they must take into account when an applicant plans to engage in surrounding community negotiations, but that some steps (such as preparation for any procurements) could be contemplated earlier.

Please submit your comments no later than Monday, May 13th at 5:00pm.  Those who wish to submit written comments on the application deadline may do so by sending an email to mgccomments@state.ma.us with ‘Timeline’ in the subject line.

Previous Request Seeking Public Comment: Phase 2 Regulations

In anticipation of the public hearing on its draft phase 2 regulations scheduled for May 3, the Commission seeks public comment on three issues related to the draft regulations:

1. Should the Commission incorporate a new rule into its draft phase 2 regulations that specifies that that the start date for petitions by potential surrounding communities to the Commission to require applicants to provide technical assistance funding  shall be no later than 90 days prior to the Category 1  (full casino) application deadline and no later than 60 days prior to the Category 2 (slots only) application deadline?    

On April 25,  the Commission discussed a new proposal to help potential surrounding communities utilize technical assistance funding.   The proposed new rule is meant to address situations where a host community agreement is executed towards the end of the application period thus delaying a potential surrounding community’s ability to petition the Commission for technical assistance funding.   In such situations, in order to provide a community more time to study impacts of a gaming establishment, the new proposed rule specifies that the start date for petitions by potential surrounding communities to require applicants to provide technical assistance funding  shall be no later than 90 days prior to the Category 1  (full casino) application deadline and no later than 60 days prior to the Category 2 (slots only) application deadline.  If a host community agreement is executed earlier, potential surrounding communities would still be able to petition the Commission at an earlier date (30 days after the execution of the host community agreement) under the current rule included in the Commission’s draft phase 2 regulations.      For a more detailed description of the proposed new rule, please see this blog post.   

2. Should the Commission move its Category 1 application deadline from its current projected December 31, 2013 date to a date in the beginning of December to be able to incorporate additional time needed to resolve issues such as disagreements between applicants and surrounding communities?

 Recently, the Commission drafted protocols and procedures to enable potential surrounding communities and gaming applicants to reach a surrounding community agreement if one has not been reached by the time of an application.  Although the protocols and procedures are designed to be efficient, they will take a substantial number of days that need to be incorporated in the schedule for the award of licenses.   In order to do so, the Commission is considering moving its Category 1 deadline ahead by approximately one month from the current December 31, 2013 to the beginning of December 2013.   The Commission has proposed steps, including potentially earlier technical assistance,  to help communities and applicants work with the somewhat shorter pre-application timeframe.    

3. Should the Commission require applicants for a gaming license to forward a copy of the studies and reports relative to impacts of a gaming establishment that it submits as part of its RFA-2 application (in accordance with 205 CMR 119.01(36)) to each of the prospective surrounding communities to the gaming establishment on the date it submits the application?  

On March 28, 2013, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission approved a set of draft Phase 2 regulations for purposes of commencing the process towards final promulgation.  There are two parts that comprise the draft:  1. An update to the existing regulations, and 2. New regulations governing the phase 2 licensing process.  The new regulations cover such topics as the content and evaluation of the applications, host community agreements and elections, the designation of surrounding communities and the execution of surrounding community agreements.  A public hearing on the proposals will be scheduled for May 3, 2013.  

Prior to the public hearing, the Commission welcomes written comment on the drafts. Please submit your comments no later than Wednesday, May 1st at 5:00pm.  Those who wish to submit written comments on the draft regulations may do so by sending an email to mgccomments@state.ma.us with ‘draft regulations comment’ in the subject line.”  Please be certain to identify in your comments the section number of the regulation for which you are commenting.

Download draft regulations here:
Responses regarding requests for comment for Phase 2 Regulations:

 

Previous Request Seeking Public Comment: Region C

In an effort to expedite next steps for Region C (Southeastern Mass), MGC is requesting public comment as to why the Commission should or should not open Region C to commercial RFPs with the Commission deciding whether to issue a commercial license to an applicant taking into account economic and other circumstances as they exist at the time of the licensing decision in light of the statutory objectives that govern expanded gaming in the Commonwealth.

Please send comments and suggestions to mgccomments@state.ma.us with “Region C” in the subject line. Comments must be received no later than Tuesday, April 16, at 5:00 pm.

Responses regarding requests for comment on Region C:

Previous Request Seeking Public Comment: Region C 

 On March 21, 2013, The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is hosting its weekly open meeting in southeastern Massachusetts to discuss the status of Region C. In December 2012, the Commission unanimously agreed to revisit the status of Region C in March 2013. At this time, the Commission will review the current status of gaming-related activity in Region C as it pertains to Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, potential commercial developers, and the interests of the residents of Region C. 

 Those who wish to submit written comments on the topic may do so by sending an email to mgccomments@state.ma.us  with ‘Region C’ in the subject line no later than March 19, 2013 at 5:00pm.

Public officials or representatives of interested parties who wish to address the Commission at this meeting should send an email to mgccomments@state.ma.us  with ‘Request to address the Commission’ in the subject line. The email should contain your full name, your affiliation and a brief description of the oral presentation you would like to make. In order to use the available time most efficiently, the Commission will notify you before the meeting if it will hear your oral presentation. If the Commission is not able to hear from you orally, the Commission will gratefully accept your written thoughts and opinions by email.

Responses regarding Requests for Comment: Region C
Requests (submitted in writing) to address the Commission on March 21, 2013:

Click UPDATED and FINAL list of speakers anticipated to address the Commission at Thursday’s Region C meeting. The Commission has requested that speakers limit their comments to ten (10 ) minutes. PLEASE NOTE: The list to request to speak is now closed.

Related Content

Massachusetts Gaming Commission

84 State Street, 10th Floor

Boston, MA 02109

Phone: 617.979.8400

Fax: 617.725.0258

www.massgaming.com

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A designated speaker from the Commission welcomes the opportunity to share with interested organizations information and updates related to matters of expanded gaming including the licensing process, the increased economic and job opportunities, community mitigation issues and the overall mission of MGC.

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