Patriots Owner Robert Kraft was "evasive, and a bit cryptic," yesterday when asked "about the potential for a casino on land he owns across from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough," according to Noah Bierman of the BOSTON GLOBE. Kraft said, "I don’t want to not say anything. I don’t want to say anything." Kraft had "not previously been asked directly about the potential for a casino in Foxborough." His comments will "do little to quiet speculation about the potential for Kraft, one of the state’s most powerful businessmen, to play a role as the state prepares to usher in casinos." The NFL "forbids owners from owning casinos," but the league "does not have a policy on leasing or selling land near a stadium to casino operators." Massachusetts is "on the verge of legalizing resort-style casinos" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/1).
TRAFFIC SNARL: Heat Owner Micky Arison yesterday warned that "massive casino resorts in downtown Miami would likely cause traffic nightmares, turn off local basketball fans and generally disrupt Miami’s urban revival." Arison said, "We’re on a roll, and I’m not sure this is the right way to continue it. I just don’t know how Miami can handle that kind of traffic." In Miami, Hanks & Sampson note Arison's comments come as the area "considers a plan that could bring the world’s largest casino to the Miami waterfront." Genting has "already spent about $500 million assembling a waterfront site in Miami." Even though a "massive Genting or Sands resort would probably send more tourists to see Heat games," Arison said traffic "would make it a major negative" for the arena’s business (MIAMI HERALD, 11/1).
