The state Gaming Commission yesterday brushed off concerns that Chairman Stephen P. Crosby's decision to recuse himself from discussions over the Boston area's sole casino license could result in a tie vote.
"We're not the first board to have an even number of members (without Crosby)," said Commissioner James F. McHugh. "It's inconceivable to me that we won't reach a decision."
Because of ties to an owner of the Everett land that's the site of Wynn Resorts' proposed casino and his attendance at an opening day party at Suffolk Downs, where Mohegan Sun wants to build, Crosby recused himself earlier this month, leaving the commission with only four members to vote on the Boston-area license.
Yesterday, the commission's general counsel, Catherine Blue, suggested those members discuss ground rules for deliberations and consider what questions they might have for staff and what additional information they might want from the applicants.
The commissioners may even say they have a preference, but still come to a consensus, McHugh said. If they don't, he said, they have the option of telling Wynn and Mohegan Sun to come back with their "best and final offer" to improve their applications.
Although host community hearings are scheduled for June 24 in Revere and June 25 in Everett, a vote on the Boston-area license is not expected until Aug. 29, unless the city goes to arbitration over how much money it's entitled to from Wynn and Mohegan Sun as a surrounding community. In that case, the license may not be awarded until Sept. 12.
A spokeswoman for Mayor Martin J. Walsh yesterday said he met this week with both casino developers, hoping to cut mitigation deals that would preempt a June 16 deadline, after which an arbitrator will decide what Boston deserves. However, she would not provide details of the discussions.
The full commission, including Crosby, expects to award the state's first casino license as early as June 13 in Western Massachusetts, where MGM has proposed an $800 million development in Springfield.
By July, the state's highest court is expected to rule on whether to allow a referendum to repeal the state's 2011 casino law on the November ballot. If the court does allow it, the commission "would have to cross that bridge," said spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll. "But at this point, our licensing process is proceeding."
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