Page 7 - FE Blue Summer 2019 Final

Gaming Unit
(Continued from facing page)
The Boston office is charged with
conducting complex background
and financial investigations into
casino executives, management,
employees as well as vendor
companies and related executives
seeking to participate in the
gaming industry in the
Commonwealth.
Since 2013, these investigations routinely have
taken Troopers throughout the United States and,
occasionally, around the globe. These in-depth
investigations are done alongside civilian regulatory
and financial investigators and encompass all
aspects of the gaming industry. Most recently,
the unit investigated sexual assault allegations
concerning Wynn Resorts, the owner of the Encore
brand, to ensure suitability to operate a casino in
Massachusetts under state law.
Since June 2015, the GEU has operated at the
Plainridge Park Casino and Racecourse on all
three shifts, seven days per week. Currently led by
Lieutenant Michael Scanlan, the GEU at Plainridge
Park has provided an important public safety
presence, conducting whatever enforcement actions
have been necessary. Investigations involving
Plainridge have led to discovery of several cheating or
scam activities by organized groups.
The Racing Division of the GEU, currently led by
Sergeant Mark Taccini, provides police services at
Plainridge as well as during designated racing dates
at Suffolk Downs in East Boston. Racing enforcement
duties include background investigations on
owners, trainers, harness drivers, jockeys and track
employees, all of whom must be properly vetted and
licensed. Troopers work with Gaming Commission
staff conducting administrative inspections of the
grounds and investigating criminal or regulatory
violations as they pertain to horse racing.
Since the opening of the MGM Springfield Casino
in August 2018, the Springfield GEU, currently led
by Lieutenant Ronald Gibbons, has operated at that
facility, also on all three shifts, seven days per week.
Since the opening, the unit, consisting of Troopers
and Springfield Officers, has routinely perfomed
enforcement activity, medical support, and other
important duties to enhance public safety at the
Summer 2019
property. The assignment has
proven to be a very busy one,
with the majority of Springfield
activity occurring during the late
evening and early morning.
In the weeks prior to this June’s
Encore Boston Harbor opening,
the Gaming Enforcement Unit
for Encore, led by Lieutenant
Timothy Babbin and consisting
of MSP and Everett Police
personnel, began its 24/7
coverage of the facility. The
GEU is responsible for policing the entire gaming
establishment – the casino floor, the hotel, back of
the house and administrative areas, restaurants, retail
areas, nightclubs, the parking garage, and convention
and outdoor lawn event areas.
For months prior to the opening, GEU Encore
members attended three months of training sessions,
learning the industry’s games and aspects of gaming-
related investigations. The training also covered
domestic violence, human trafficking, cheating scams,
active shooter response, background investigations,
and case studies and investigations presented by the
Rhode Island State Police Gaming Unit.
Since its opening, Encore Boston Harbor has likewise
proven a very busy assignment with large crowds
attending from the outset and continuing through
July, particularly on weekends. The GEU has
fostered a strong relationship with Encore’s Security
and Surveillance staff working closely with them to
address any criminal activity or public disorder. To
date, this cooperative effort has resulted in delivery of
superior policing services in a wide range of du ties,
including enforcement activity, site security, medical
assistance, and crowd control. As at Plainridge and
Springfield, the GEU in Everett, as expected, has
assumed an important role in the MSP’s overall law
enforcement mission and the state’s duties to safely
oversee casino betting.
The GEU can be reached at the follow-
ing numbers which are monitored 24/7
Encore Boston Harbor (617) 533-9890
MGM Springfield (413) 278-5420
Plainridge Park Casino (617) 533-9765
Racing Division (617) 533-9800
(Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Boston/MGC Office (617) 979-8400
(Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
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