Plan for test casino may be a reality

WWLP TV

Updated: Dec 19, 2011 4:29 PM

BOSTON (WWLP) — The new chief of the Massachusetts gaming industry isn't afraid to be tough on casinos.

Stephen Crosby, the man tapped by Governor Deval Patrick to be the chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, says he won't issue any casino licenses unless they meet the standards set out by the Legislature and his to-be-created team.

Crosby, a dean at the University of Massachusetts, says he is in the early stages of examining the complexities of gaming, and is "open to anything." He said he would even consider approving one casino license as a test run before approving a second or third. Patrick said the chairman has to be good at analyzing proposals that come his way.

“I think it would be helpful for people to have a sense of what the noise is going to be about their decisions, but I think their decisions have to be made on the merits and the Legislature has, excuse me, the legislation is pretty clear about what the parameters are of a decision,” Patrick said.

Patrick said he hopes the second and third members of the Gaming Commission will bring to the table expertise in finance and oversight and regulation.

Treasurer Steve Grossman and Attorney General Martha Coakley will each choose a member, while Patrick, Coakley, and Grossman will choose a fourth and fifth member together.

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