Although they will set off in slightly different directions once under starter’s orders, the runners and riders for casino licenses in eastern and western Massachusetts lined up in mid-January creating quite a field with eleven companies submitting Phase 1 applications.

Applications went in from some famous gaming names including MGM Resorts, Mohegan Sun, Hard Rock International, Penn National, Wynn Resorts and Caesar’s Entertainment along with the non-refundable US$400,000 application fee demanded by the state gaming commission.