Officials with Penn National Gaming and Plainridge Racecourse are breathing a sigh of relief today, as Ballot Question 3, which called for a repeal of the state’s 2011 casino law, was defeated on Tuesday, November 5. The vote means that Penn National’s $225-million, fully-integrated racing and gaming expansion at Plainridge Racecourse is not in jeopardy.
An article by WWLP.com explains that 60 per cent of reporting voters indicated that they did not support repeal. To view a breakdown, click here.
Based off its proposal, which was unveiled last fall, Penn National Gaming Inc. was awarded the state’s single slots parlor license earlier this year. A groundbreaking ceremony took place less than three weeks later and PNG announced Plainridge Park Casino’s general manager two months later.
Plainridge Racecourse General Manager Steve O'Toole had commented on the ballot question this past June and was quoted as saying, “We’ve been over a lot of hurdles leading up to this point, and as far as I’m concerned, this is one more hurdle that we have to deal with.”
After the vote on November 4, WWLP.com quoted Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Steve Crosby as saying, “The Massachusetts Gaming Commission respects the voters’ choice to continue moving forward with the successful implementation of the Gaming Act. The Commission remains committed to two key objectives: maximizing the revenue, jobs and other economic development impacts of expanded gaming; and minimizing the unintended and potentially negative consequences of expanded gaming. We realize that approximately 41 per cent voted in favour of the ballot initiative, and it is our job to continue to earn the confidence of all the people of Massachusetts – proponents and opponents alike.”
Even though Penn National and Plainridge were faced with an uncertain future due to the ballot question, construction on the expansion did not cease.
(With files from WWLP.com)