| 
Photo by Steve Adams | Banker & Tradesman Staff
Amid reports that Wynn Resorts is talking about selling its $2.6 billion casino development in Everett to MGM Resorts, House Speaker Robert DeLeo on Monday said he plans to make sure the interests of the state, Springfield and Everett are front and center in any proposed sale.
Wynn Resorts, which is expected to open its Encore Boston Harbor resort casino on June 23 as long as it pays a $35 million fine to the Gaming Commission, confirmed Friday that it and MGM have been discussing a sale of the Everett property.
“I plan to closely monitor these negotiations between Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts and will work to ensure that the interests of the commonwealth, including the host communities of Everett and Springfield, remain the focus,” DeLeo said.
DeLeo said the provisions were “specifically included in anticipation of a gaming licensee seeking to transfer their licensee to a third party.” MGM operates the only current resort casino in Massachusetts, in Springfield. The state’s 2011 casino gambling law bans licensees from operating, investing in or owning another gaming license or gaming establishment, or from transferring a license without approval from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
“While the timing of the recent news that Wynn Resorts is contemplating transferring their gaming license to MGM Resorts is somewhat of a surprise in terms of timing, it is a contingency that we as policy makers anticipated and addressed,” DeLeo said in a statement that included specific references to provisions in the law, Chapter 23K.
Earlier Monday, Gov. Charlie Baker told WBZ Radio that his top concern with a potential sale or transfer would be the disruption for workers and for the host communities, Everett and Springfield.
“Wynn has a license … and I think everybody’s expecting and anticipating that they’re going to open this thing in June, and those 5,800 people are gonna go to work,” Baker said.
