Mohegan Sun Meeting With Boston Mayor

Mayor Marty Walsh is talking with at least one gambling giant hoping to build a Las Vegas-style casino in Boston's backyard.

Mohegan Sun spokesman Cosmo Macero Jr. confirmed that the Indian tribe-owned company, which hopes to build a casino in Revere on land owned by the Suffolk Downs horse racing track, will meet Wednesday with the mayor and his staff.

Macero said in a statement that Mohegan Sun expects to continue what has previously been "productive conversations" with the administration. He declined to elaborate.

Through his spokeswoman Kate Norton, the mayor also confirmed the meeting with Mohegan.

Norton said that the administration is open to negotiating with Mohegan Sun and with Wynn Resorts, which has a competing proposal in Everett, and that "all options for a next course of action remain on the table."

A spokesman for Wynn Resorts said the Las Vegas-based company does not have a meeting scheduled with the mayor, but remains open to one.

Boston's bid to be a "host community" for a casino has been a major roadblock to awarding the eastern region's sole casino license. The designation would trigger a referendum on the casino proposal and entitle Boston to financial compensation from the company awarded the license.

Both casinos oppose the city's request, saying Boston should only be entitled to "surrounding community" status, which would qualify the city for some financial compensation from the casino but not a referendum on the proposal.

Discussions between Boston and Mohegan Sun come the day before state gambling regulators again take up the question of whether or not the city should be named a host community.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission had called a May 1 public hearing on the question, but delayed its decision for at least a week at the request of the Walsh administration. In a rare move, Gov. Deval Patrick urged the commission to honor the request.

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