\nBOSTON (AP) \u2013 Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International have been officially awarded the state\u2019s first two resort casino licenses, following unanimous votes Thursday by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.<\/p>\n
\tThe gambling giants won the licenses months ago, but the final award was delayed until after the election on Nov. 4, when voters resoundingly rejected a ballot question to repeal the state\u2019s casino law.<\/p>\n
\tThe final license awards set in motion the payment of millions of dollars by the casino companies.<\/p>\n
\tMGM is building an $800 million resort in Springfield. Wynn is developing a $1.6 billion plan for the waterfront in Everett, a city bordering Boston.<\/p>\n
\tWynn Resorts Senior Vice President Robert DeSalvio told commissioners the casino giant wired one major payment to the state Thursday morning: the $85 million licensing fee that\u2019s good for 15 years. He presented the five-member panel with an oversized mock check.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cWe\u2019re so excited to get the project started,\u201d DeSalvio said later. \u201cIt just shows our commitment to the Commonwealth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tMGM Springfield President Michael Mathis said his company will pay its $85 million license fee Nov. 17.<\/p>\n
\tHe said work began on the casino\u2019s downtown Springfield site the day after the election, with \u201cgeotechnical soil assessments\u201d for a 3,500-space parking garage.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cWe\u2019re making good on our promise as of Wednesday morning,\u201d Mathis said.<\/p>\n
\tBoth casino companies hope to break ground in 2015 and open their resorts by 2017.<\/p>\n
\tPenn National Gaming has already paid a $15 million slots parlor licensing fee for its $225 million project at the Plainridge harness racing track in Plainville, which has been under construction for months and is set to open in 2015.<\/p>\n
\tRevenue from gambling license fees goes toward nine distinct areas of public spending under state law, from transportation to higher education and aid to local cities and towns.<\/p>\n
\tThe commission on Thursday also approved one-day placeholder horse racing licenses for operations proposed for Suffolk Downs in Boston and the Brockton Fairgrounds.<\/p>\n
\tAn association of horse trainers and owners is seeking to preserve thoroughbred racing at Suffolk Downs, the region\u2019s last such track, after the track\u2019s current owners decided against continuing races in 2015.<\/p>\n
\tThe five-member state gambling panel is also looking ahead to awarding the state\u2019s third and final resort casino license, which is reserved for the Fall River-New Bedford region. That discussion is ongoing Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
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