The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has approved an agreement between Wynn Resorts and the City of Boston that clears the way for construction of a $1.7 billion casino in eastern Massachusetts.
The deal ends a long legal and public relations battle the city of Boston and Mayor Marty Walsh waged to try to block the Wynn casino because of traffic and other concerns. It calls for Wynn to pay the city $ 68 million in mitigation funds, employ a certain percentage of Boston residents in the casino, and work together to solve traffic problems.
Commissioner Enrique Zuniga said the agreement is “very positive,'' adding " It is clear there is a lot of good will to make solutions happen."
Wynn is building the casino in Everett, just north of Boston. It is scheduled to open in 2018.
The gaming commission has licensed a second resort casino, MGM Springfield, which is also scheduled to open in 2018.
Plainridge Park, which has slot machines, no table games and no hotel, opened last summer in Plainville.
