Earlier today, Karyn Polito delivered a letter to House Speaker Robert DeLeo urging that any decision to approve expanded gaming this year “be done transparently and in a manner that maximizes revenue to the Commonwealth.” She warns against the perception of “insider deals” for politically connected special interests.
In the letter, Polito specifically recommends that licenses to operate slot machines and casinos be awarded through a public auction, where all applicants are on “equal footing.” She writes that licenses should be awarded based on the merits of proposals and what is in the best interests of the state, not the best interests of racetrack owners only.
“We need to avoid the appearance of an insider deal that further erodes the confidence of the people in their government. Expanding gaming in the Commonwealth must be done in an open, transparent and competitive process in order to maximize returns for taxpayers. I'm concerned that certain special interest groups like racetracks appear to have the inside edge when instead they should be on the same level as any qualified bidder,” Polito wrote.
