The company that was awarded a license for the state's first and only slots parlor says it is ready to start construction on the facility.

    Penn National Gaming announced on Monday it planned to hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday at the Plainridge harness race track in Plainville.

    The Massachusetts Gaming Commission last month awarded Penn National the state's first expanded gambling license.

    The company says the slots parlor _ to be called the Plainridge Park Casino _ will create about 500 permanent jobs and 1,000 temporary construction jobs.

    When finished, the facility is slated to have 1,250 slot machines along with harness racing and simulcasting. It will also include the first Doug Flutie sports bar.

    The state's 2011 gambling law also allows up to three resort casinos in Massachusetts.   (Associated Press)

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