Can Steve Wynn Beat the Odds in Massachusetts?

The mogul’s pitch for a $1 billion casino has a community divided

A rendering of Wynn Resorts' proposed casino complex

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By Christopher Palmeri

April 26, 2012 at 10:15 PM UTC

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This article is part of the April 30, 2012 issue of businessweek.

Gaming magnate Steve Wynn doesn’t shy away from a fight. In Foxborough, Mass., the founder of Wynn Resorts has been battling hard to get a $1 billion casino built. He’s sent a video pitch, bought full-page newspaper ads, and sent canvassers door-to-door to persuade residents to support the project.

Wynn faces plenty of obstacles: Civic leaders won’t negotiate with him, an opposition group has attracted 1,200 members, and rival Caesars Entertainment wants to build its own Boston-area casino. On April 16 a supporter of Wynn’s project was arrested for allegedly threatening the life of a town selectman, according to police. “I don’t think Steve Wynn anticipated the negative feeling in the community,” says Ray Poirier, executive editor of Gaming Today. “He’s got to turn the town around.”