Boston Drops Claim to Casino; Can Now Seek Compensation from Wynn for Traffic Impact

That was quick.

Just as it was demanding a seat at the table, the city of Boston quit its contention that it was a host community for a proposed casino located mostly in Everett across 

Boston dropped its bid to be considered a host community for a $1.2 billion Mystic River gambling resort project by developer Steve Wynn, the state’s gambling commission announced Friday, Sept. 6.

A joint statement from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, city officials and Wynn said they were no longer seeking to have the commission hold a hearing to determine whether Boston should be named a host community, according to the Associated Press. 

“Based on the new information provided at Wednesday’s public meeting, the parties have agreed to begin discussions about Boston’s status as a surrounding community to address the impacts that Wynn’s proposed gaming establishment would have on Boston and the Charlestown community,” the statement read.

As a "surrounding community," the city can seek compensation from Wynn on the suspected impact of the casino on city services but prohibits Boston or its neighborhoods, including Charlestown, a direct say on the project's future. 

If the state had recognized Boston as a host community, developer Wynn would have been required to seek approval from Charlestown residents who have voiced a great amount of concern on the level of traffic the casino will bring to neighborhood streets via the Alford Street/Route 99 bridge.

Wynn's attorney, former Gov. William Weld, told the state commission last week  that the Las Vegas-based developer could abandon his casino proposal had the city been named a host community.