City of Boston files expanded complaint against Massachusetts gaming commission

Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today that the City of Boston has filed an amended civil complaint against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission that seeks the nullification of all of the Commission's decisions, including the award of the Category 1 gaming license to Wynn, and the disqualification of all Commissioners from further participating in any proceedings involving Region A. 

The City of Boston first filed a civil complaint against the Commission on January 5, 2015. The City worked diligently with Wynn to negotiate a fair agreement that benefits the people of Boston, however was unable to reach an agreement that accurately represents the impact to the City.

"This is a very important step in our ongoing efforts to protect the legal rights of the people of Charlestown and the City of Boston," Mayor Walsh said. "We have spent an enormous amount of time and effort on the casino issue from day one and it has always been our belief that Boston is a host community to this planned casino. The City is fighting this battle because the health, safety and welfare of Boston's residents will be jeopardized by Wynn's plans and it is clear that this is the only way to move forward to protect the rights of Boston's public and restore integrity to the gaming process."

The only legal access point to the planned casino continues to be through Horizon Way, making it impossible for Wynn to operate its planned casino without using entry and exit points in the City of Boston, specifically directly through the neighborhood of Charlestown. This requires the vast majority of patrons to travel through Rutherford Avenue and Sullivan Square, an area that already faces severe traffic congestion, posing significant environmental and public safety harms. Additionally, Horizon Way is not zoned for a casino.  

As a condition of the gaming license, Wynn was required to submit applications for required permits to the Boston Public Improvement Commission (PIC) within 90 days of the effective date of the license, or by February 5, 2015. To date, Wynn failed to apply for any permits from the PIC. 

To view the 152-page complaint, please visit: http://www.cityofboston.gov/mayor/pdfs/2015-05-20-AmendedComplaint.pdf