Rizzo says he’s ready to sign Suffolk host agreement, waiting on Boston

REVERE – The state’s gambling commission chairman told local business leaders there “is no opportunity for political interference” as he and fellow commissioners review proponents seeking licenses, including one at Suffolk Downs.Stephen Crosby said the Massachusetts Gaming Commission does not rely long term on the state Legislature for its funding and said his seven-year term overlaps two governors’ terms.The former businessman, state official and education administrator said that insulation from influence ensures the five commissioners will award gaming licenses in April 2014 to up to three casinos committed to following the letter of the law for expanding gambling in Massachusetts.”We’ll put it all together and ask, ‘What is the best deal for the community, region and Commonwealth as a whole?” Crosby told about 60 Revere Chamber of Commerce members gathered in the Beachmont Veterans of Foreign Wars post.A 2011 state law gives the commission authority to award gambling licenses to up to three destination resort casinos in three different parts of the state as well as a slot parlor license to be awarded next winter.Crosby said the casino approval process is aimed at licensing facilities that hire thousands of workers and generate $300 million to $500 million in “incremental tax revenue” paid to the state.Suffolk gambling proponents want to build a casino and a hotel around the horse track at the Revere and East Boston lines. During a 2012 presentation, casino principals said Suffolk plans to invest $1 billion into their casino project, hire more than 4,000 workers and pour $150 million a year into surrounding communities.Revere Mayor Daniel Rizzo on Wednesday said he is ready to sign a host community agreement with Suffolk outlining “jobs, revenue and public safety” benefits for the city. He is certain local voters will approve the Suffolk casino proposal when they go to the polls in the fall.Crosby said voter approval is a critical part of the casino approval process.”No community will host expanded gaming if the community does not want it,” he said.Rizzo said he thinks city of Boston officials are “very close” to completing talks with Suffolk on a Boston host agreement and said he will sign Revere’s compact once the Boston talks finish.”One thing that is important to me is to make sure there is parity between both cities. I don’t expect to get what Boston gets, but I expect to be treated fairly,” he said in an interview prior to Crosby’s chamber speech.Crosby said the commission is completing extensive background checks on every individual potentially involved with casino operations. He said the checks have taken investigators to Singapore and other international locations and generated thousands of pages of information.”It’s very important we get the best of what these folks have to put forward,” Crosby said.He said 25 percent of gross gambling revenues mandated to be paid to the state under the law is greater than percentages required to be paid by casinos in other states.Crosby said the gambling law requires $15 million to $20 million be spent on helping problem gamblers and minimizing addictive gambling. He said $58 million was spent nationwide in 2010 on combating gambling’s negative effects.Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].