The Phase 1 application periods are now closed. This page is for informational purposes only.
What You Need to Know
- The RFA-1 application process determined applicants’ suitability in matters related to finance and integrity.
- Each applicant and its qualifiers underwent thorough background investigations
- The Massachusetts Gaming Commission received 11 preliminary applications for a gaming license.
About RFA-1 Applications
The RFA-1 application process determines an applicant’s suitability in matters related to finance and integrity, requires gaming applicants, as well as key employees and investors.
In October 2012, The Massachusetts Gaming Commission released the Phase 1 Request for Applications for applicants seeking a gaming license. The deadline for submission for the category 1 (resort-casino) license in Regions A & B and the category 2 (slots-parlor) license was January 15, 2013. The deadline for submission for the category 1 (resort-casino) license in Region C was January 30, 2015.
Instructions
Application Forms
Specimen Forms (for information only)
- Multi-Jurisdictional Specimen Form
- Business Entity Disclosure Specimen Form
- Massachusetts Supplemental Specimen Form
Schedule of Fees and Indirect Costs
In accordance with Commission’s regulations (205 CMR 114.00), all Applicants are hereby notified of the schedule of fees and indirect costs for the investigations effort. The Commission may revise and update these fees from time to time.
Background Investigations
Each applicant for a gaming license, as well as their qualifiers, must undergo extensive background investigations to ensure they meet the high standards for good character, honesty, integrity and financial suitability.
MGC has established multiple investigative teams to execute the substantial background investigations. The teams are comprised of gaming experts from the consulting firms, Spectrum Gaming and Michael & Carroll and collectively includes former FBI agents, state investigators, prosecutors, Massachusetts state police troopers, and accountants, all of who have vast experience in all types of investigations, including, but not limited to, corruption, organized criminal enterprise and racketeering as well as corporate due diligence and gaming industry backgrounds for the largest gaming entities in the industry.
The due diligence investigations for Massachusetts entity applicants covers their regulatory history in other jurisdictions, financial stability, compliance plan and history, and recent litigation, among other areas. The investigations for qualifiers – those individuals who are officers, board members or key investors of the applicant – cover their employment history, criminal record, education, stock holdings and financial suitability, among other areas.
Submitted RFA-1 Applications
The Massachusetts legislation drafted the Expanded Gaming Act prioritizing competition as key criteria. The Gaming Commission has vigorously carried that charge forward resulting in the achievement of a gaming competition that is robust and primed to obtain that absolute maximum benefits in job creation and economic growth to the residents of the Commonwealth.
MGC received RFA-1 applications and the $400,000 application fee from the following entities:
Applicants who sought a Category 1 (resort-casino) license:
- MGM Springfield
- Hard Rock MA
- Wynn MA, LLC
- Mohegan Sun
- Sterling Suffolk Racecourse
- Crossroads Massachusetts, LLC
- KG Urban
- Mass Gaming & Entertainment, LLC
Applicants who sought the single Category 2 (slots-parlor) license:
- Raynham Park
- The Cordish Companies / PPE Casino Resorts
- Penn National Gaming