Tewksbury Voters Reject Slots Parlor Proposal

Tewksbury voters have rejected plans for a proposed slots parlor in town.

Residents on Tuesday night voted 1,568 to 995 against zoning changes that would have allowed a proposal by Penn National Gaming to build a $200 million gambling facility on a 30-acre plot off Route 133 near the Andover town line to move forward.

The measure required a two-thirds majority to be adopted.

Under state gambling law, just one slots parlor can be built in the state.

An official with Penn National said the company respected the voters' decision.

Proponents said a slots parlor would have provided $4 million in new revenue for the town and 500 jobs. Opponents said they feared a gambling facility would bring increased crime.

Three slots parlors proposals in the state are still alive: Cordish Cos. in Leominster; Mass Gaming and Entertainment in Millbury; and Raynham Park, a former dog track, in Raynham.

Penn National had previously proposed a resort-style casino in Springfield, but was not selected by the city.

With additional reporting by The WBUR Newsroom