205 CMR 115.05
Phase 1 and New Qualifier Determination by the Commission
After the proceedings under 205 CMR 115.04, the Commission shall issue a written
determination of suitability pursuant to M.G.L. c. 23K, §§ 4(15), 12 and 17.
(2) Negative Determination. If the Commission finds that an applicant or new qualifier or
existing qualifier failed to meet its burden of demonstrating compliance with the suitability
standards in M.G.L. c. 23K and 205 CMR 115.00, the Commission shall issue a negative
determination of suitability.
(3) Positive Determination. If the Commission finds that an applicant or new qualifier or
existing qualifier has met its burden of demonstrating compliance with the suitability in
M.G.L. c. 23K and 205 CMR 115.00, the Commission shall issue a positive determination of
suitability which may include conditions and restrictions.
(4) The Commission shall not entertain a Phase 2 application for any applicant unless and until
the Commission has issued a positive suitability determination on that applicant.
(5) No Appeal from Commission's Determination of Suitability. Pursuant to M.L.G. c. 23K,
§ 17(g), the applicant or qualifier shall not be entitled to any further review.
(6) A host community may not hold an election in accordance with M.G.L. c. 23, § 15(13) until
the Commission has issued a positive determination of suitability to the applicant, in accordance
with 205 CMR 115.05(3), unless the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) Prior to the request by the applicant for an election, in accordance with 205 CMR
124.02(1): Request for an Election, the governing body of the community formallyapproves
of holding the election prior to a positive determination of suitability having been issued to
the applicant by the Commission; and
115.05: continued
(b) At the expense of the applicant, prior to the election the community has conducted a
process for informing the community about the Commission's determination of suitability
standards and procedures, which shall include, but not be limited to, the provision of a notice
designed to be received by voting households within the community informing such
households that an election is to be held for which the applicant has yet to be issued a
positive determination of suitability, that the Commission will make its determination of
suitabilityafter completing a thorough background investigation of the applicant, its principal
operating officers and investors, and that the Commission will not permit the applicant or its
principal operating officers or investors to proceed with the application unless it determines
that they are suitable to operate a gaming facility in Massachusetts. The content of the notice
shall be forwarded to the Commission for approval prior to dissemination. A description of
other methods to so inform the community about the Commission's determination of
suitability standards and procedures shall also be forwarded to the Commission prior to
holding of the election. Any failure to issue the notice to one or more voting households
shall not be deemed by the Commission to be a failure to meet the requirements of 205 CMR
115.05(6), provided that a community demonstrates reasonable efforts to comply with the
requirements of 205 CMR 115.05(6).