Some good news has come out for Wynn Resorts in its quest to obtain one of the casino licenses in Massachusetts.
After an exhaustive process of background checks, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s investigative bureau has found Wynn Resorts suitable to open a resort casino in the state, joining MGM Resorts International as the first two operators to have come this far and this close to winning those licenses.
The recommendation was made at a commission meeting on Monday, putting Wynn one step closer to winning that one license up for grabs in eastern Massachusetts. The commission will still have to decide on Wynn’s suitability – that’s expected in a week or two – but the endorsement of the commission’s investigative arm is as good a sign as any that Wynn has passed a significant test.
The progress Wynn and MGM have made in Massachusetts also represents a fresh break from what has generally been a chaotic and tumultuous process in the state. A number of other bids from other operators have fallen by the wayside for one reason or another and most recently, Caesars Entertainment took Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby to task with a good ‘ol fashion lawsuit for his alleged failure to disclose a potential conflict of interest related to the Wynn deal.
But as far as Wynn’s concerned, that’s a problem for Caesars and the commission to iron out. What it has to look forward to now is the commission’s decision on whether it will find the company suitable to run a casino in Massachusetts.
Judging by the way the commission is sounding, though, it looks like Wynn’s suitability investigation went about as well as the operator would have hoped, especially when chairman Crosby, comes out saying that the company runs as “buttoned-up an operation in Macau as pretty much can possibly be done”.
In vetting for Wynn’s suitability, Karen Wells, director of the commission’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, did indicate a number of provisions, including a requirement for the company to report any changes in ownership, members or directors, and that those individuals would have to go through their own vetting process from the commission.
