Today the Massachusetts Gaming Commission announces the acceptance of three final applications in a two-phase application process toward the award of the single Category 2 (slots-parlor) license available statewide. Slot-Parlor applicants were required to submit completed Phase 2 application to the Commission no later than October 4, 2013 at 2:00pm.

The Commission received Phase 2 applications from the following slots-parlor applicants:

The Phase 2 application is 236 pages and has been broken up into sections to include key evaluation criteria: 1. Overview of Project; 2. Finance; 3. Economic Development; 4. Building and Site Design; 5. Mitigation. The content of the Phase 2 application is based primarily on the Evaluation Criteria previously outlined by the Commission.

The Phase 2 application may only be submitted by applicants that have received a positive determination of suitability from the Commission in accordance with 205 CMR 115.05(3). The application requires applicants to provide a copy of the executed host community agreement, and the summary of the host community agreement that was provided to the voters along with a description of the election at which the agreement was approved by the voters, including the date of the election, the polling procedures, and a certified copy of the election results provided by the city or town clerk.

The Commission will provide public access to the public portions of the final slots applications on its website, MassGaming.com by October 10, 2013.  UPDATE: The Commission is working to make the public portions of the applications available as soon as possible. The Commission will issue a public notification as soon as they are available online for download.

In addition, the slots applicants will each participate in a 90 minute public presentation of final applications to the Commission on October 7, 2013 from 10:00am – 4:00pm at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.  A schedule of presentations is available here. The presentations will also be streamed LIVE on commission website.

The Evaluation Process

MassGaming is swiftly approaching the issuance of the Commonwealth’s first of several competitively-awarded, expanded gaming licenses. The Commission has completed an intense period of preparation for the execution of a methodical and organized ‘Evaluation Process’ to scrutinize and evaluate the three slots-parlor license applications.

The established ‘Evaluation Process’ for assessing and ultimately awarding  expanded gaming licenses was developed based on requirements written into the “Expanded Gaming Act” as well as criteria approved by the Commission to solicit the most competitive projects that meet the expectations provided in the final application, have a positive impact on the Massachusetts economy and enhance the state’s revenues.

A detailed explanation of the ‘Evaluation Process’ and the five key evaluation criteria is available in a newly developed section of our website and can be viewed here.

Furthermore, MassGaming has established a comprehensive communications plan to increase awareness of the overall ‘Evaluation Process’ and share with the public the necessary ‘Steps to Licensing’ executed by the Commission toward the issuance of the slots license. The Commission anticipates issuing the slots license by late December 2013, early January 2014.

The Commission continues to invite the public to participate in the ongoing licensing process by staying updated on the Commission’s efforts through MassGaming’s new Tumblr account, which will include daily content featuring news and information on the Commission’s “Steps to Licensing”. In addition to MassGaming’s new Tumblr account, the Commission will continue to provide frequent updates on its progress, critical milestones and key meeting and public hearing dates through the use of the Commission’s website, gaming blog, videos and other social media channels.