Gambling Panel Defends Handling Of Wynn License

The state gambling commission is defending the way it handled awarding a license to Wynn Resorts for an Everett casino.

The city of Boston sued the panel on Monday, arguing that the city should be given "host community" status for the $1.6 billion development. Such a designation would allow residents of the Charlestown neighborhood, which borders Everett, to vote on the casino.

Massachusetts Gaming Commission spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said in a statement that while the commission had yet to review the lawsuit, the issues raised by the city have already been addressed "multiple times in a public and transparent manner."

Everett officials plan to formally welcome Wynn to the proposed casino's site on Tuesday, one day after the Las Vegas company finalized its $35 million purchase of the property.