After investing millions of dollars in its Springfield casino bid, MGM is now asking gambling regulators for a delay.
If, as expected, MGM gets the license in June, it will need to shell out close to $200 million more.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments on a ballot drive to repeal the state's casino law.
MGM'S Michael Mathis says the company doesn’t want to pay up until the repeal question is settled.
"We’re confident it will be rejected by the SJC, and we’re also confident, if it goes to the November ballot, that the favorable support in Massachusetts will result in the rejection of the petition but it's an important issue and we’re not going to take it lightly," Mathis said.
The Gaming Commission seemed receptive to MGM’s request, but did not take a vote.
Commissioner Enrique Zuniga says if construction started in Springfield and the repeal happened, it would devastate the city.
“Forget about one tornado or one gas explosion, it would probably look like five tornadoes,” Zuniga said.
The commission has already delayed awarding the Greater Boston casino license, because of a dispute over whether Boston should have more control over two casino proposals just outside the city.
