Casinos push back on Mass. plan to require gaming parlors to limit gamblers' time, wagers

Casino companies are voicing strong concerns about a plan by Massachusetts gambling regulators to limit the time and money gamblers spend at casinos.

Representatives from Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming all said they support finding innovative ways to prevent gambling addiction.

But during a lengthy discussion Thursday with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the companies uniformly opposed enrolling customers into such a program automatically. They suggested research has shown "limit-setting" programs don't work.

Wynn, which is developing a $1.6 billion casino in Everett, also voiced concerns about providing rewards and incentives to customers that opt in.

And Penn National Gaming, which is building a $225 million slot parlor in Plainville, urged the commission not to try imposing the system before its planned June 2015 opening.