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 Suffolk Downs and Caesars Entertainment Corp. have entered a strategic alliance to bolster efforts to build a resort casino in East Boston, Massachusetts. In a statement issued on Thursday, Suffolk Downs said that in the event that lawmakers allow another casino to be built and they win a license they would be in charge of any potential development and Caesars would be in charge managing the casino.
"Our alliance," said Suffolk Downs Managing Partner, Richard Fields, "will bring significant management expertise, marketing power, and additional potential investment."
Suffolk Downs has been aggressively lobbying for legalized casinos in Massachusetts. Last year, similar legislation passed but was vetoed by Governor Deval Patrick because it included a provision that allowed video slot machines to be placed at the state's four pari-mutuel facilities. Deval is still against any bill that will allow slots to be at the tracks and the statehouse has been busy debating over what to do about a looming budget gap. A new casino would likely bring in millions in state revenue so the issue is likely to be brought up at some point during the budget debate.
According to state records, Suffolk Downs spent $426,960 lobbying for casinos in 2010. Neither Suffolk Downs nor Caesars Entertainment disclosed the financial terms of their new partnership.
As always, stay tuned to Casinofan for more news and updates.
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