He asked the commission to fine the casino or issue a stern warning for past violations and said, if necessary, he may file an injunction on behalf of his client against Encore for violating the casino statute. That’s a violation of the law,' Rabinovitz said.

“That’s not a violation of the spirit of the law. Rabinovitz said Encore already flouts the state casino statute by exceeding seating limits at public venues. The local theater operators said they'll be undercut, as Encore's casino profits enable them to subsidize lower ticket prices that the smaller venues can't match.Īttorney Dan Rabinovitz with Boston’s Murphy & King law firm represents the city of Medford, which is home to the 1,850-seat Chevalier Theater. “Putting 2,000 chairs in a big ballroom and selling tickets might not be technically building a theater, but it's pretty clear it's not in the spirit of the legislation,' Siebels said.Įncore’s proposed East of Broadway Development projectcalls for 20,000 square feet for restaurants and retail stores, a 999-seat event room (revised from an earlier proposal for a 1,800 seat venue), a 2,300 space parking garage and a pedestrian bridge connecting the casino to the new project.Īt the hearing, several speakers addressed what they felt were predatory practices by bigger nearby venues. Troy Siebels from the Massachusetts Performing Arts Coalition and president of the Hanover Theater in Worcester said Encore is already circumventing limits on theater seats in the state's casino law, which stipulates that casinos cannot build an entertainment venue where there are between 1,000 and 3,500 seats.

A planned Encore casino development project from Wynn Resorts that proposes to build a 1,000-seat entertainment venue across the street from the Everett casino faces harsh criticism from nearby cities and towns, with local theater operators saying the venue will further cut into their bottom lines.Īt a hearing Monday, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission heard public input on the proposal, which was revised from an earlier version that went before a public hearing on Feb.

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