Brockton Casino Deal Advances

Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter has announced an agreement with Mass. Gaming and Entertainment to allow construction of a casino on the Brockton Fairgrounds, owned by businessman George Carney.

The Enterprise is reporting that the host agreement calls for Brockton to receive at least $10 million dollars annually, along with a host of other benefits.  Carpenter said he was "excited" about the possibilities.  "There's still a long way to go, and this is just the first step."  Carpenter is proposing a city-wide referendum for May 12th.  Mass. Gaming will pay for the referendum. The host agreement will go before the City Council on Monday.

Mass Gaming and Entertainment is one of three firms seeking the final gaming license in  southeastern Massachusetts.  The others are KG Urban, which is talking with Foxwoods about a casino in New Bedford, and Somerset on the Move and Crossroad s Massachusetts which informed the Gaming Commission recently, they are planning to merge.