New law allows casinos to serve alcohol until 4 a.m.

BOSTON — Soon gamblers will be able to roll the dice and drink liquor until 4 a.m. at Massachusetts casinos.

Gov. Charlie Baker approved the last call time as part of the state’s new budget.

Under the plan, drinks can be served until 4 a.m. and can start back up again at 8 a.m.

The new Wynn Boston Harbor Casino is still under construction in Everett and the mayor says the expanded drinking hours will allow it to compete with world class casinos.

In Las Vegas, alcohol can be served 24 hours a day. The bars at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos in Connecticut stop serving alcohol at 2 a.m.

>>MORE: Liquor store suing Mass. for the right to offer cheaper alcohol

"You want to get someone to come to Boston to game, telling them at 3 a.m. you can't have a drink when they're spending $100,000 on a table, is going be detrimental for a facility," said Mayor Carlo Demaria Jr.

Community leaders and police departments say they’re against the plan, citing concerns over drunk drivers on the road just before sunrise.

"I've opposed this from the beginning. This is a national pattern. Applicants know the rules when they compete for a license. Once they win the license, they begin to chip away at the rules. This is especially troubling given that these resort style casinos haven't even opened yet,"  said Senate President Stan Rosenberg in a statement.

Other lawmakers argue it will give Massachusetts casinos a competitive edge and attract more businesses to the area.

A spokesperson for the Wynn said tourists expect a late night experience and the extended hours will help with job creation.

The Wynn is slated to open in 2019.

MORE: A look inside the Wynn Casino now under construction in Everett

Cox Media Group