NEW: Twin River CEO Responds to Plainville Slots Parlor Approval

Thursday, February 27, 2014

GoLocalProv News Team

Plainville has been selected by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission as the first (and only) slot parlor in the state.

On Thursday, Penn National Gaming was offered a conditional slot parlor license for Plainville -- which sits on the Rhode Island border -- following a favorable vote of 3-2 from the gaming commission. The parlor will be located at the Plainridge Racecourse.

Penn National was instructed to return to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center at 9:30 AM on Friday to accept the approximately 18 conditions of the license. At that point, the commission will take an official vote to award the state's sole license.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Twin River CEO responds

"We knew this day was coming and have been planning for its eventuality since the Commonwealth announced its plans for casino gaming," Twin River CEO John E. Taylor, Jr. said in a written statement. "We certainly believe there could have been better locations from the regional market perspective . That said, it’s important to underscore that the license approved today for Plainville, MA is for slots only, and that this venue is not a location for a full casino."

"We have long believed that our best course of action is to stay myopically-focused on the things we can control, such as the quality of the gaming and entertainment experience at Twin River, which is what we will continue to do," Taylor continued. "We have been successfully competing with two of the world’s largest casinos in the country, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casino in nearby Connecticut. To that end, we remain confident that our convenient highway location, strong partnership with the State of Rhode Island, full range of amenities and attention to customer service will continue to well position us against new venues in Massachusetts."

Other sites considered

Consideration was given to two other Massachusetts locations outside Plainville. A proposal in Leominster received two votes and a proposal in Raynham received none.