Everett Councilor Counting On 'Well-To-Do Asians' For Casino Success
EVERETT (CBS) – The Everett City Council President is denouncing controversial comments made by a city councilor regarding a casino proposal in that community.
When asked why a casino in Everett would be a success, City Councilor Jason Marcus told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic that he thinks casinos will be a huge draw, particularly to Asians in the area.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports
Everett Councilor Counting On 'Well-To-Do' Asians For Casino Success
"All the colleges in this area; MIT, Harvard, Boston University have many many Asian students. And their families are well-to-do. They're paying cash. And they are very big gamblers. And this site will bring them all over," Marcus said on Friday. "They love to travel and they love to come over and see things like this."
Everett City Council President Leo McKinnon disavowed Marcus's comments, saying it is not what the Everett casino is about.
"They're actually making a nice casino that everybody in the state can actually utilize," said McKinnon.
In a press conference earlier Friday, Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria attributed the future success of the proposed casino to hotel mogul Steve Wynn. Calls to DeMaria's office seeking comment were not returned.
Everett is competing against Boston for one of the state's three casinos.
