A Request for Public Comment: 2019 Community Mitigation Fund Guidelines
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission hereby requests public comment on the “Discussion Draft” of the 2019 Community Mitigation Fund Guidelines (“CMF”). Before beginning any final review of the “Discussion Draft”, the Commission determined that it would seek input from the general public. The purpose of the “Discussion Draft” is to receive substantial recommendations from parties to enable the Commission to evaluate the concepts in this draft. The Commission has not adopted these Guidelines.
To view the 2019 Community Mitigation Fund Guidelines draft, please click the below link:
In addition to a request for comments on MassGaming.com, the Commission is seeking the input of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee and subcommittees, regional planning agencies, host communities, surrounding communities, communities that entered into a nearby community agreement, communities that petitioned to become a surrounding community, geographically adjacent communities, the general public and other interested parties. Comments from other communities and governmental entities are also requested.
This Discussion Draft includes a number of potential changes to the 2019 Community Mitigation Fund Guidelines that the Commission may consider. Comments are requested by 5:00 p.m. on November 19, 2018. To expedite the comment process, we encourage you to submit any comments to the 2019 Community Mitigation Fund Guidelines concept draft via e-mail to mgccomments@state.ma.us with ‘2019 Community Mitigation Fund Guidelines’ in the subject line.
A Request for Public Comment: 2019 racing applications
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission requests public comment on the applications it received to conduct horse racing in 2019. As of close of business on October 1 (the c.128A §2 statutory deadline for receipt of such applications), the Massachusetts Gaming Commission was in receipt of the following applications to hold or conduct live horse racing in the commonwealth in 2019:
Plainville Gaming and Redevelopment, LLC:
An application to conduct a 108 day harness horse racing meeting at Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, MA.
Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, LLC:
An application to conduct a running horse racing meeting of at least 4 days at Suffolk Downs in Boston and Revere, MA.
Public hearings regarding these applications have been scheduled as follows:
- Plainville – Hearing Notice
Plainville Council on Aging
9 School Street, Plainville, MA
Tuesday, October 30th at 10:00am - Boston – Hearing Notice
Massachusetts Gaming Commission
101 Federal Street, 12th floor, Boston, MA
Monday, October 22nd at 2:00pm
Comments must be received by 5:00pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2018. Please email comments to mgccomments@state.ma.us with ‘horse racing applications’ in the subject line, or by mail to:
Massachusetts Gaming Commission
101 Federal Street, 12th Floor
Boston, MA, 02110
The comments received and recommendations of the Division of Racing will be reported to the Commission at its public meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 8, 2018. By law, the Commission must “grant or dismiss” each application not later than November 15th.
A Request for Public Comment: Request to Reconsider Region C
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has received a request to re-open Region C (Southeastern Mass.) for the award of a Category 1 gaming license. As part of that process, the Commission is requesting comments on the items listed below. Please submit comments by emailing mgccomments@state.ma.us with ‘Region C’ in the subject line, or by mail to:
Massachusetts Gaming Commission
101 Federal Street, 12th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
The comment period will remain open until the close of business on November 30, 2018.
- What is the status of the gaming market in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic? What are the existing gaming options? What plans exist to increase the number of gaming options, both in states that currently allow casino gaming and states where casino gaming does not currently exist? What revenues have been collected by states that have gaming over the last five (5) years and what are their projected future revenues?
- What is the expected demand for gaming and the value of the overall gaming market in Massachusetts?
- Should the Commission review the status of online gaming, sports betting and daily fantasy sports and their potential impact on casino gaming?
- Is there sufficient capacity to fill new casino jobs created by a Region C casino? What impact will that have on existing casinos to fill their jobs and on existing business to replace experienced employees who move to a casino job?
- Should the Commission revise its process for determining or updating the suitability of a prior applicant for a category 1 or category 2 gaming license who wishes to apply for a category 1 gaming license in Region C?
- Should the Commission review and/or revise its RFA-2 application to determine if additional or different information should be requested from gaming license applicants in Region C?
- Should agreements, such as host community agreements, surrounding community agreements, impacted live entertainment venue (ILEV) agreements, mitigation agreements, gaming school agreements and other relationships previously established for former applicants for a category 1 gaming license in Region C be deemed to be valid or should such agreements be reviewed again and/or re-negotiated?
- Should there be a new host community referendum vote in any host community where a prior vote was held?
- Should the Commission consider any legislative changes to the Gaming Act?
- Should there be changes to the Commission’s regulations, for example, changes to regulations setting forth the license award process and the calculation of minimum capital investment required under chapter 23K in order to reopen Region C?
- What role should horse racing have in considering a category 1 region C gaming license application?
- Should the Commission review the status of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s litigation regarding land in trust, and the status of proposed federal legislation on the issue?