Massachusetts Bill Ties Casino Money to Route 2 Train Service Growth

A new bill proposed by Rep. Natalie Higgins (H 3680) aims to fund expanded commuter rail services along the Route 2 corridor in north-central Massachusetts. Under the bill, 25% of gaming revenue collected from potential Region D gaming licensees would be applied toward enhancing commuter rail services.

The bill would establish an InterCity Regional Passenger Rail fund and designate Region D, including Fitchburg and Leominster, as eligible for a casino gaming license to generate revenue.

“At the heart of this bill is opening up an additional region for north-central Massachusetts for a possible casino and channeling that money into something that we all desperately need: better operated, better funded, and more expanded commuter rail,” Higgins explained.

She said she was inspired by Taiwan's model of funding public transit through revenue from entertainment venues, which supports low-income residents without increasing fares.

Paul Keating, a retired Leominster resident, said the rail expansion could be “backed by a continuous flow of funds” supplemented by matching state bonds, according to a WWLP News 22 report.

Under Massachusetts state law, regulators can issue up to three resort casino licenses. Two of these licenses have been issued so far, with one license still available for the southeastern Massachusetts Region C.

Keating said he hired a consulting firm to determine how much revenue a casino in northern Worcester County could generate. When the study was completed in 2021, HLT found the casino would yield approximately $75 million in taxes, which now amounts to about $90 million. Keating said he selected the northern region of the county for the model to spread out the state's casinos geographically. Two others — Encore Boston Harbor in Everett and MGM Springfield — are off the Massachusetts Turnpike. 

“As we look for ways to improve and invest in the economy of north-central Massachusetts, we believe that this legislation has a potential for tremendous positive impact for economic development, tourism, and transportation here,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO at North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, in a statement shared with WWLP News 22.