Voters OK slots proposal for Plainville race track

PLAINVILLE, Mass. (AP) - Voters in Plainville have overwhelmingly approved a proposal for a slots parlor at the state's only harness race track.

Seventy-six percent of the town's voters backed the proposal. About 37 percent of registered voters participated.

Tuesday's referendum was on a host community agreement that was originally reached between the town and Ourway Realty, the current owners of the Plainridge track.

The plan was nearly scuttled when the Massachusetts Gaming Commission disqualified Ourway after a background check.

But another company, Penn National Gaming, moved in last week with a plan to buy the track if it is awarded the state's sole slots parlor license. The commission then voted to allow the referendum to go forward.

Two other companies, in Raynham and in Leominster, are also in the running for the state's sole slots parlor license.

Cox Media Group