MGM Springfield has been officially named the winner of the state’s first casino license, capping a more than two year process.
Several hundred casino advocates applauded as the gaming commission voted unanimously — as expected — to approve the deal.
“We on the commission are not advocates of casino gaming," said Mass Gaming Commission Chairman Steven Crosby. "What we are advocates for is the implementation of this law as well as it can be implemented.”
Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno is counting on the casino to jumpstart an economic revival:
“There's a momentum building," Sarno said. "We have a lot of investors and developers across the commonwealth and the nation, looking at Springfield. We’re on the map.”
MGM would remake a large section of downtown Springfield, building a casino, shops, restaurants, a movie theater, a skating rink and a bowling alley.
But a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the deal.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is weighing whether to allow a voter referendum to repeal the casino law on the statewide ballot.
MGM CEO Jim Murren says he’s not worried:
“We are betting on a positive outcome,” he said.
