Rizzo: Deal for gambling at Suffolk Downs signed

REVERE – Mayor Daniel Rizzo announced on Wednesday that Revere officials and Suffolk Downs? racetrack owners signed a host agreement specifying how the city will benefit from potential casino gambling at the track.?A host community agreement has been signed between the community and the developers at Suffolk Downs,” Rizzo?s office announced by electronic mail Wednesday afternoon.State gambling law requires communities potentially hosting a casino to negotiate agreements with casino operators that Rizzo said, in Revere?s case, will include job language and payment amounts to be paid to the city from gambling receipts.During a 2012 presentation, Suffolk owners and their partners said they plan to invest $1 billion into their casino project, hire more than 4,000 workers and pour $150 million a year into surrounding communities.Rizzo a day before the agreement signing, said “a couple of sticking points” needed to be ironed out with Suffolk owners before the signing. He would not elaborate on agreement negotiation details but said jobs and minimum levels for payments Suffolk will be required to make to the city are still being discussed.He said city officials also want to draft a clear schedule specifying how the so-called mitigation payments will be made in future years.The state Gaming Commission will award up to three licenses in April 2014 to resort casinos as well as a slot parlor license. The commission website lists the name of 10 businesses, including Suffolk, competing for casino licenses.An agreement signing sets the stage of a citywide referendum giving voters a chance to reject or accept gambling at Suffolk. Election Commission Diane Colella said she needs 60 days to organize a citywide election and, on Tuesday, Rizzo mentioned Oct. 29 as a possible gambling referendum date.?Obviously, timing now is becoming very critical,” he said.The host agreement signed Tuesday by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Suffolk owners will reportedly pay the city at least $32 million a year.