Two cities are competing for a casino license to build in southeast Massachusetts. Supporters believe the proposal for Brockton Casino has more potential to bring in consumers. The casino is located close to Boston. The second project proposal is in New Bedford, which has a smaller population than Boston. The state Gaming Commission will need to make a decision regarding the approved license before 2015 ends or by early 2016.

The Brockton proposal is for a $650 million resort casino, located on the old fairgrounds. Brockton’s former mayor, Jack Yunits and George Carney, a lawyer, own the site. They both agree the casino resort would generate higher revenue for Massachusetts than the other proposal. They cited the 21 mile location from Boston as the reason for the Brockton proposal being the better option.

According to more precise data, the casino location is 24 miles from Boston’s downtown. New Bedford’s Cottage Street location for the second casino proposal is 59 miles from Boston.

The Massachusetts Gaming and Entertainment group is also a part of the Brockton casino resort. They are an affiliate of Rush Street Gaming, out of Chicago.

The New Bedford location is backed by investor KG Urban Enterprises out of New York. The project is also going to take $650 million.

The two developers have a lot to do in the coming weeks, as they need to present their proposals along with casino case studies that include economic assessments. Both investors have until September 30 to turn in their licensing application to the gambling regulator. Commissioners are looking for five criteria: overview, finances, economic development, design, and mitigation efforts.