Only one contender in Mass. race for casino license

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

NEW BEDFORD – The dramatic casino race continues in southeastern Massachusetts, after New Bedford’s casino developer dropped out late Wednesday, citing financing problems.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission met Thursday to accept KG Urban Enterprises’ withdrawal and commission members said they would discuss next steps at a future meeting. No one from the company spoke at the meeting.

Only one developer is left seeking the state’s third and final resort casino license. Mass Gaming & Entertainment has proposed a $650 million resort in Brockton.

But that does not mean the bid automatically wins. The commission does not need to issue the license at all, if its members so choose. “It's uncertain whether the gaming commission will issue a license given the tepid support for a casino in Brockton and Brockton's proximity to the Boston market,” opined New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell.

He told ABC6 News he was surprised and disappointed when KG Urban dropped out of the $650 million waterfront casino proposal, just weeks after 73% of voters approved a referendum on the plan. “We were led to believe that this project was financeable,” Mitchell said.

Meanwhile, Twin River officials are keeping an eye on these new developments as they try to open up a casino in nearby Tiverton. Spokesperson Patti Doyle admits not having a casino so close-by could work in their favor, but it's all a roll of the dice. “It doesn't change our pathway forward,” she explained.

If commissioners ultimately choose not to give Brockton the license, Mitchell may play his odds again if there is another competition. “We'll be open to that possibility,” he said.

ABC6 News reached out to KG Urban for comment, but our calls were unanswered.

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