Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Gambling “regulator” Steve Crosby assists casinos in whining

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As expected, the casino industry loses no time in attempting to weaken regulations that they agreed to when applying for licenses. This will continue forever, unless the casino-enabling law is repealed. It’s what they do.

Crosby wants employment, tax issued addressed

Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby says the casino law’s hiring provision should be amended before January, when Penn National Gaming is set to begin hiring new workers for its slot parlor at the Plainridge harness racing track in Plainville.

. . .

Specifically, it is concerned about a provision that automatically disqualifies those convicted of “a felony or other crime involving embezzlement, theft, fraud or perjury” from being employed at gambling establishments, no matter how old the crime.

The commission says the provision could be a barrier to providing jobs to chronically underemployed people, which is a priority of the casino law.

. . .

Crosby said the law’s income tax requirements for gamblers could discourage prospective developers and make Massachusetts less competitive to its neighbors.
He pointed to concerns voiced by Wynn Resorts, which proposes a nearly $1.6 billion casino in Everett, and others.

By all means, let’s allow felons to work in casinos, What could possibly go wrong? And we didn’t really need all that tax revenue anyway – I mean, it’s not like that’s the whole reason this law was enacted or anything.

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Comments

  1. If we’re going to have these things, they ought to provide jobs. It seems like a reasonable period could be set — I don’t know, five years? — where lack of a fraud conviction would be considered sufficient proof that someone went legit.

    • From LEGISLATING AND REGULATING CASINO GAMING:
      A VIEW FROM STATE REGULATORS

      Most jurisdictions have express statutory provisions specifying disqualifying criteria for persons seeking to work in casinos. Typically, any felony conviction disqualifies an individual for licensure. Some jurisdictions preclude licensure for individuals with misdemeanor convictions for crimes of dishonesty.

      There are reasons for those provisions. The early history of Las Vegas casinos is an object lesson.

    • I am confident that they’ll begin trying to get out of any provisions they don’t like. It’s a business plan. Wynne’s request for relief from conditions he agreed to is only unusual in its timing. Usually they wait until the state gets a taste of the revenues and is hooked.

      • and lacks the self-awareness to hide it.

        Sheldon Adelson would have had the good sense to lie through his teeth before going back to get provisions he didn’t like watered down or eliminated.

        But he also had the good sense to know 3 “resort” casinos in Massachusetts are going to be very expensive ways to build glorified slot parlors in a heavily saturated market — as New Jersey and Connecticut have found out — and will struggle to stay in business.

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