What you need to know

• Casino developers are required by statute to submit strategic plans for utilizing minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses
• Each casino awarded a gaming license has made agreements to promote local businesses in host and surrounding communities
• MGC works with a Vendor Advisory Group to find ways to connect small business owners with casino developers
• MGC has provided grant funding to organizations for programming that increases vendor and supplier connections, accessibility and awareness of casino business opportunities
• Vendors must be licensed or registered by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission prior to doing business with a casino

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020, Governor Charles Baker mandated that all non-essential work be done remotely and the MGC voted unanimously to temporarily suspend operation at the state’s three casino properties. The MGC sought to help licensees’ vendors navigate potential financial complications as a result of the temporary closures. In April, the MGC, partnering with LEAF and the U.S. Small Business Association, hosted a series of free webinars open to all licensees designed to offer business education, support and resources during casino closures. Webinars have been uploaded to the MGC website:

• MGC Business Webinar: Managing Cash Flow During a Crisis
• MGC Business Webinar: A Special Update with Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Association- Massachusetts District Office

Creating opportunities

Being committed to creating opportunities for strong, local, and diverse vendor partnerships with casinos was what the Legislature had in mind when it passed the Expanded Gaming Act. Casino developers are required by statute to submit strategic plans for utilizing minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned businesses to participate as contractors in all stages of building their gaming establishments – that’s planning, construction, and operation. Additionally, each casino awarded a gaming license has made agreements to promote local businesses in host and surrounding communities, including developing cross-marketing strategies with local restaurants, small businesses, hotels, retail outlets and impacted live entertainment venues (M.G.L. c. 23K, § 18(2)).

MGM Springfield

MGM Springfield is required to submit a plan to identify local vendors. This plan was approved by the Commission on April 26, 2018 in Springfield.

MGM Springfield plans to exercise best efforts to spend at least $50,000,000 of its annual biddable goods and services for procurement in Springfield and the immediately surrounding Greater Springfield Area.

• Agreement to Award Category 1 Resort Casino License to MGM Springfield
• MGM Springfield Procurement Diversity and Local Spend Plan

Encore Boston Harbor

Encore Boston Harbor is required to submit for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (“Commission”) review and approval plan(s) listed below within ninety (90) days of a request from the Commission. MGC staff submitted a request to Encore Boston Harbor on June 22, 2018 and subsequently received Encore Boston Harbor’s Affirmative Action Program for Equal Opportunity – Goods & Services and plan for local vendors on September 21, 2018.  The plan was approved by the Commission on Thursday, October 26, 2018.

The plan shall include a robust public events and outreach component to those businesses identified above.

The Affirmative Marketing Program shall identify specific goals expressed as an overall program, goals applicable to the total dollar amount, or the value of contracts entered into for the utilization of:  (i) minority business enterprises, (ii) women business enterprises and (iii) veteran business enterprises.  The Affirmative Marketing Program shall enable minority, woman and veteran business enterprises to participate as vendors in the provision of goods and services procured by the gaming establishment and any businesses operated as part of the gaming establishment.  Pursuant to License Condition 16, Encore Boston Harbor shall submit a Plan to Identify Local Vendors in conjunction with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Vendor Advisory Team and any local grant awardee.

• Agreement to Award Category 1 Resort Casino License to Wynn MA, LLC
• Encore Boston Harbor Supplier Diversity Plan

Vendor Licensing and Registration

To conduct business with a gaming establishment, vendors must be licensed or registered by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Businesses apply for a vendor gaming primary license or non-gaming vendor registration depending on the type of service(s) provided to a casino.

Click here to learn more about the vendor licensing and registration process.

About the Casino Procurement Process

The following presentation, produced by the Center for Women & Enterprise, outlines the process for casino procurement and the licensing/registration process.

https://vimeo.com/214214184/7b2b8919a0