A vote for Leominster; Lopsided race at Suffolk Downs

Describing Leominster as “highly self-contained,” Innovation Group has recommended it for Massachusetts‘ lone slot license. While it may have been independently commissioned by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, the contents of the study will be music to the ears of Cordish Gaming, prospective developer of the $215 million casino. Not only would cannibalization be minimized, tax receipts are projected as being $93 million higher than Penn National Gaming‘s project in Plainridge and $300 million greater than the Raynham Parx racino that Greenwood Racing is pursuing. The last number seems to ‘bake in’ the assumption that a Mashpee Wampanoag casino will be approved in Taunton, next door to Raynham. “Given the locations of the proposed resort license applications, our research demonstrates that the Leominster facility represents a more effective distribution of the Category 2 license,” concluded Innovation Group CEO Steven Rittvo. We can probably expect comparable studies on behalf of Parx and Penn to fly over the transom soon.

In the arms race for a casino (above) at Suffolk Downs, opponents are being decisively outspent by Mohegan Sun, which has poured $417,000 into the campaign. The opposing coalition is an odd lot. Unite-Here, the dominant union in Atlantic City, is at the forefront, but a religious group is in the mix, as is convicted felon Charles Lightbody. Saints and sinners, you might say. They’ve only raised $11,500 to derail Mohegan Sun, which is coming on strong, spending $36 for every $1 that opponents can raise.

Opponents of casinos in Massachusetts, period, picked up an ally in gubernatorial candidate Jeff McCormick (I). He says he’d achieve the same fiscal effect by reviewing and tightening up state spending.