February 25, 2014|By MATTHEW STURDEVANT, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , The Hartford Courant

"People in Revere really have spoken here. They really let their voice be heard," Etess said.

The voter turnout was 44 percent, nearly identical to the turnout in November, when 59 percent of Revere voters supported a casino proposal for property in both Revere and East Boston. That proposal — before Mohegan Sun signed on — was rejected when East Boston residents voted it down. The current proposal does not include East Boston.

Now, Etess said in a phone interview after the vote, "I think we continue to work on our project and we continue to make our case ... [to] make it an easy decision for the [Massachusetts] Gaming Commission to pick us."

Hundreds of people celebrated the win at the third-floor of the Suffolk Downs Clubhouse on Tuesday night. People wore T-shirts with "Revere Says Yes" while sipping beer and wine. Dance music filled the banquet room.

Revere Mayor Daniel Rizzo attributed the wider margin of support to a host community agreement that pays more to his city than a previous version in November. In the earlier agreement, Revere would have shared community contributions from Caesar's Entertainment with East Boston.

"We were in a position to negotiate a better agreement for the City of Revere. So, it's that much more lucrative," Rizzo said. "Our voters who came out in November had supported by a wide margin, I knew would at least come out and support it to that extent. ... It's very gratifying."

Mohegan Sun will now square off against Las Vegas tycoon Steve Wynn, who wants to build a $1.3 billion casino in neighboring Everett. Only one developer will receive the sole license to operate a resort casino in the Boston area.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will decide which plan is better this spring. Last June, 87 percent of Everett voters approved Wynn's plan.

Mohegan Sun Massachusetts plans to build on 42 acres now occupied by horse stables at one end of the racetrack. The tribe promises to deliver 2,500 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent jobs.

Before the polls closed at 8 p.m., the main streets of Revere crackled with Election Day theatrics.

City resident John Dove rode his Segway up and down Broadway, a sandwich board of casino signs on his front and back.

"I think it would be great for the town," he said. He said he liked the infrastructure improvements that Mohegan Sun promises.

Across the street, a local diner owner, Saber Abou Galala, said that he, too, supports the casino.

"I have a business. I need people working. This is 4,000 jobs," Abou Galala said. As a Muslim, he has no intention of going to any casino. But he sees the benefit that it would bring to the city's tax revenue.

A limousine decorated with bumper stickers of support drove up and down the main drag.

The vote on Tuesday brought with it lots of supporters, just as similar casino votes had in Palmer, West Springfield, Springfield, Milford and Everett. People held up signs for and against the casino all across town, but especially on Broadway. In at least one case, the same people: a Mohegan Sun supporter in Revere on Tuesday had also held signs in Palmer.

Near Revere City Hall, Roman Catholic Deacon Frank McHugh of Redeemer Parish in East Boston held a sign opposing the plan.

"We opposed the casino in East Boston, and we oppose it all across the state," he said.

"There was no organized opposition at all among the faith communities [in November]," McHugh said.

McHugh has hope for a referendum in November this year to reverse the 2011 legislation allowing three resort casinos in Massachusetts.

McHugh said he hoped that Revere voters would reject Mohegan Sun, unlike the Nov. 5 vote of support that Revere voters gave to a similar proposal that had also included East Boston.

Revere's partner at the time, Caesar's Entertainment, pulled out during a background check by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

Mohegan Sun had plans to build in Palmer, Mass., just east of Springfield. Voters rejected that proposal on Nov. 5.

After their separate rejections, Mohegan Sun and Revere partnered for a new plan.

The casino would add tax revenue in a city with a $154 million budget.

Mohegan Sun is promising as much as $33 million in four installments between 2014 and 2017. In addition, the casino would make annual payments once it is up and running: $25 million in years one, two and three; $28 million in years four, five and six; $30 million in years seven and thereafter.

Mohegan Sun is planning to spend $10 million annually in purchasing from Revere businesses and $50 million annually from businesses within a 15-mile radius of Revere.