A significant legislative change has been approved by the State Legislature to prevent individuals with minor criminal histories from being automatically disqualified from casino employment opportunities across the state, particularly at the Wynn Boston Harbor.
The stringent requirements of the Expanding Gaming Law became a concern earlier this year, as it appeared poised to exclude people with past minor offenses from casino positions, including roles in food service and housekeeping.
The issue prompted advocacy for statutory reform, and Speaker Bob DeLeo championed the effort by including it in the Supplemental Budget that both chambers approved last week.
“At its heart, the gaming law is about providing jobs and improving the economy,” DeLeo stated. “I wouldn’t want to see people – particularly those who are underemployed or unemployed – barred from working in a hotel or a restaurant, for example. I’m pleased that we made the change and look forward to seeing the Gaming Commission’s work on this time-sensitive matter.”
Mayor Carlo DeMaria expressed his view on the matter: “My top priority is to ensure that Everett residents have the opportunity to succeed, have a career and raise a family right here in Everett. We all know people who have made some mistakes in their past, but now deserve the opportunity to lead productive lives. The best way to do that is to provide them with a job. I commend the legislature for passing criminal justice reform for service employees and the gaming commission for supporting this measure. Otherwise restaurant workers, hotel housekeepers, and parking lot attendants would be barred from working in a hotel because of a minor conviction.”
Under current Gaming Law provisions, the “automatic disqualifier” standard bars non-gaming employees with felony convictions within the past 10 years from working in casinos, even in hotel, restaurant, and maintenance roles. Massachusetts law requires a 10-year waiting period before such felony records can be sealed and cease affecting employment eligibility at casinos. Furthermore, Massachusetts classifies numerous offenses as felonies with relatively low thresholds, such as larceny exceeding $250.
The revised language is less prescriptive and grants the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) greater authority to evaluate prospective employees, placing decisions within the MGC’s “discretion.”
“the Massachusetts Gaming Commission established pursuant to section 3 of said chapter 23K, may exempt certain gaming service employees by job position from the registration requirement at its discretion,” according to the new language.
Multiple agencies must review the language before it reaches the MGC for potential adoption.
The MGC has supported such modifications in correspondence with the Legislature this year, though it declined to provide comment for this article.