Print
Aug 2, 2007 10:03 pm US/Eastern
Casino Could Affect Some Entertainment Venues
by Joe Shortsleeve
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
-
-
Some believe a casino in Middleboro could affect local outdoor entertainment venues like the South Shore Music Circus.
CBS
So what happens if a mega casino offering top name entertainment is built in southeastern Massachusetts? Well, it could be disastrous for nearby outdoor entertainment venues with a long history.
Why? It would force stars to choose one or the other.
On a summer night at the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, you can see big stars like Liza Minnelli, or Kenny G close up. But the future of the Music Circus, and the Melody Tent in Hyannis is threatened -- not by casino slot machines, but by casino entertainers.
The issue is simple. Entertainers who perform at a casino in Middleboro would not be allowed contractually to perform in Cohasset and it's easy to see who would be the loser there. "Companies that have live entertainment like the South Shore Music Circus and the Melody Tent," said Peter Foreman, the chairman of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce.
He says small businesses in communities like Cohasset could be hurt by a huge casino. "It becomes the black box and takes in all dollars and nothing goes out into the regional economy."
Business at this upscale restaurant in Cohasset doubles when the music circus is open. "There are some inns in town that certainly get over night guests because of the circus there are more vendors then me in town we all do well when the music circus is in town," said restaurant owner Brian Houlihan.
Folks at the South Shore Music Circus didn't want to talk about this issue, although they do admit their business would suffer severely if a large casino was located nearby.
As for the Wampanoag tribe, they also did not want to comment.
Sate lawmakers still need to sign off on any plans to build a casino in Massachusetts. Gov. Patrick says he'll announce his support or opposition by Labor Day.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
