The first casino in Massachusetts officially opened its doors this morning with fanfare, neon lights and a touch of Las Vegas.
“We’re proud, the city of Plainville, to be the newest member of your community,” said Tim Wilmot, president and chief executive of Penn National Gaming. “It’s going to be a high energy gaming, racing dining facility. We’re going to be here for a long time.”
The slots parlor in Plainville, officially dubbed Plainridge Park Casino, includes 1,250 slot machines and video table games and live harness racing over 160,000 square feet.
Officials cut a ceremonial ribbon to mark the opening, held by women in full Las Vegas showgirl outfits.
The casino is full of bright neon lights and shiny metal from slot machines as well as scantily clad female video dealers beckoning potential players for a game of Blackjack.
“It’s a momentous day for Massachusetts,” said Stephen Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
The $250 million development will mean more than 600 full and part-time jobs, the casino says.
“It’s a great achievement for a small town,” said Charles Smith, a Plainville resident and former chair of the board of selectmen.
Smith was the chair when the town brought in the Plainville race track in the 1990’s, where Plainridge Park now stands.
“It came from an empty gravel pit where people threw their old car parts and wasn’t generating any jobs, but here we are now.”
