Even though approximately ten thousand people celebrated the opening of the Plainridge Park Casino yesterday, the permanent operating certificate was not awarded until today.

So on its first official day, Massachusetts gaming commission chair Stephen Crosby was upbeat.

“This is innocent, harmless fun for lots of folks,” Crosby says. “And it was a pleasure to see that.”

After a one-day temporary certificate, the gaming commission unanimously approved the final step following a review that appropriate casino protocols and procedures were in place. MGM Springfield is scheduled to be the next casino to open in Massachusetts.