Two-month window opens for Region C casino feedback

Over the next two months, state regulators want people in the gaming world and residents of southeastern Massachusetts to weigh in on a variety of issues surrounding a possible third full-scale casino in the state, before deciding whether to formally re-launch the bidding process there.

Over the next two months, state regulators want people in the gaming world and residents of southeastern Massachusetts to weigh in on a variety of issues surrounding a possible third full-scale casino in the state, before deciding whether to formally re-launch the bidding process there.

The Gaming Commission last week agreed to solicit public comments on a number of issues related to Region C -- the commission's designation for southeastern Massachusetts -- and the broader world of gaming. The commission opened its comment period on Wednesday and said it will accept comments through Nov. 30.

The commission listed 12 questions that it wants feedback on, getting at what the demand for a new gambling option in that region might be, whether there is sufficient capacity to fill the jobs at a new casino, whether agreements related to the previous Region C bid process should be deemed still valid, whether potential host communities should have to vote again on the question of welcoming a casino to town and whether the commission should study the possible impacts from sports betting and daily fantasy sports.

The Gaming Commission said it will accept comments by email at mgccomments@state.ma.us and asked that commenters include 'Region C' in the subject line. Comments may also be submitted by mail, to: Massachusetts Gaming Commission, 101 Federal Street, 12th Floor, Boston, MA 02110.

Discussion of revisiting the bidding for the Region C license stemmed from a request to reconsider the Gaming Commission's 2016 denial of a bid from Mass Gaming & Entertainment to build a casino on the Brockton Fairgrounds.

Since the 2011 expanded gaming law took effect, Massachusetts has licensed a slots parlor and two of three possible resort casinos. The slots parlor, Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, opened in June 2015. MGM Springfield opened in August and Encore Boston Harbor, operated by Wynn Resorts, is expected to open in 2019.