New Bedford Casino Vote Slated For June

New Bedford voters will decide the future of the proposed waterfront casino in less than two months.

The City Council approved a June 23 ballot question during Thursday night's meeting with a 10-0 vote.

The entire Council is urging eligible voters to get out and vote, regardless of which way they feel about the major waterfront development.

Ward 3 Councilor Henry Bousquet says this referendum is a chance for the city to make it's mark.

"The bottom line is people have to feel something, right? They've got to be moved. There's got to be an impetus. This is it. This is an opportunity for the city of New Bedford to do a myriad of things."

Those things include a $50 million cleanup of the future site of the casino with private money and a major surge of local jobs.

The Council believes a high turnout rate and support of a casino will sway the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to grant the city the remaining Region C license.

City voters have supported a casino proposal in two previous ballots.

Casino developer KG Urban still faces a May 4 deadline to submit their final application to the Gaming Commission and to drum up financial backing.