Adelson Sets Sights on Massachusetts Casino

BOSTON, Massachusetts – As reported by the Boston Herald: "Gambling tycoon Sheldon Adelson, who grew up poor in Dorchester and has become one of the world’s richest men, is drafting
Sheldon Adelson, Chairman of the Las Vegas Sands  plans for an extravagant gambling resort in Boston’s outer suburbs and recently made his pitch to Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration.

"Adelson, whose Las Vegas Sands Corp. oversees gambling resorts stretching from the Vegas strip to the resort city of Macau on China’s coast, wants to make the Bay State the latest addition to his global casino empire, industry executives and others familiar with his plans said.

"Adelson, who in the past has expressed interest in building a resort casino west of Boston near Interstate 495, is now focusing his attention on the Marlboro area, one executive said.

"Adelson, who has a home in Newton, huddled recently with Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Dan O’Connell, spokeswoman Kofi Jones confirmed.

"O’Connell is overseeing a review of whether the Bay State should legalize casino gambling. Gov. Patrick is expected to make a decision later this summer.

"…Adelson, whose newly unveiled $2.2 billion Venetian Macau will feature 20,000 luxury hotel rooms, is interested in a full-scale casino resort, one with everything from hotels and restaurants to spacious gambling facilities, industry executives and others said.

"Adelson’s bold pitch comes as the gambling issue gains momentum on Beacon Hill.

"State Treasurer Tim Cahill has proposed selling off one or more casino licenses to private casino developers. Meanwhile, the newly recognized Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is pursuing its own plans to build a $1 billion casino in Southeastern Massachusetts."