Page 6 - F&E Blue Spring 2018

with Gaming Commission staff,
conducting administrative
inspections of the grounds
and investigating criminal or
regulatory violations as they
pertain to horse racing. In
2017, in addition to their
regulatory and investigatory
duties, the three members
of the Racing Unit conducted
over 1,200 horse racing
related backgrounds as well
as an additional 370 gaming
related backgrounds while also
assisting Plainridge Park Casino
with fingerprinting of over
550 applicants as required by
regulation.

The GEU is preparing Artist redition of MGM Springfield
for its next venture into casino
policing as MGM prepares to positions for sergeants and troopers at MGM
open Massachusetts’ first resort-style casino in Springfield have been filled. MSP and Springfield
Springfield on August 24, 2018. The $960 million PD personnel are currently engaged in ongoing
project is located on approximately 14.5 acres gaming-related training in a mini-academy of
of land between Union and State Streets, and sorts designed to prepare the unit for MGM
Columbus Avenue and Main Street, in the South Springfield’s opening. GEU members will
End of Springfield. It is expected to be a busy also assist with the thousands of background
and fast moving assignment. With nineteen investigations for casino personnel over the
members planned to be assigned to MGM months leading up to and after opening. Those
Springfield, the GEU is preparing to embark on a duties will remain an ongoing responsibility of the
new phase of casino policing. Like the Plainridge unit.
Park Casino task force policing model, the GEU is
expected to be comprised of MSP and Springfield June of 2019 will bring another destination
PD personnel. The property will have 125,000 resort-style casino to Massachusetts with the
square feet of gaming space with 3,000 slot opening of Encore Boston Harbor in the City of
machines, 100 gaming tables, a poker
room and high limit VIP gambling area;
about 55,000 square feet of retail and
restaurant space that will accommodate
15 shops; and a multi-level parking
garage. An entertainment block consisting
of movie theatres, a bowling alley and
bar/restaurant, retail and market areas,
as well as outdoor amenities including
entertainment and a skating rink. A six
story, 250 room hotel will run along Main
Street from State Street to Howard Street.

Lieutenant Timothy Babbin is Aerial view of Encore Boston Harbor
the Officer in Charge of this location and

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