MGM Resorts International Finally Awarded Licence For Massachusetts Casino Complex

MGM Resorts International, the gaming and hospitality company, have today received approval from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) for a licence to operate a large resort style casino and hotel complex in the Springfield area of the state.

The licence has finally been awarded to MGM Resorts International some two years after they first expressed an interest in operating a casino and hotel resort in the area, after lengthy deliberations, hearings and meetings were finally concluded by the MGC. The vote to finally give the go ahead from the MGC was a unanimous one and it will be MGM’s first amalgamated complex in the state of Massachusetts.

$800 Million Investment
The MGM site in Springfield is to be built on roughly 15 acres of land, and will cost in the region of $800 million to build. MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis is confident the casino resort will be of economic benefit to the region as he said, “The City of Springfield deserves a brighter economic future. Its residents spoke loudly when they voted yes for MGM Springfield in a July 2013 referendum.”

There is the threat of repeal from those against the new casino and hotel resort, but Mr Mathis is confident the scheme will go ahead as he said, “A successful repeal would mean the loss of good jobs, new economic development and a needed revenue stream. It would also eliminate the opportunity to recapture billions of dollars currently lost to neighbouring states.”

Mr Mathis finished off by saying, “Today’s decision says yes to jobs, yes to down town revitalisation, and yes to opportunity and hope. We have worked hard to develop the strong relationships necessary to create a world-class urban casino resort proposal that will anchor a renaissance for an important Gateway City and the region around it.”

New Casino To Provide 3,000 Jobs
MGM claim the new casino resort will create in the region of 5,000 new jobs in the Springfield area, 2,000 of which will be in the construction of the new site, and 3,000 permanent jobs at the hotel and casino once it is up and running. The new casino will boast over 125,000sq ft of gaming space, gaming space that will have in the region of 3,000 slot machines, 75 gaming tables and a state of the art poker room, plus an exclusive VIP area for high rollers. The hotel attached to the casino will have 250 luxury rooms plus numerous restaurants and a 55,000sq ft retail area, as well as boasting pools, spas and a roof deck too, complete with ample parking facilities for all visitors with the addition of a multi-level parking garage.