Springfield city council approves MGM casino host deal; voters have their say next

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
May 10, 2013 - 8:31 pm EDT

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts — Springfield's city council has unanimously approved a host community agreement signed earlier by the mayor and MGM Resorts International.

The vote Friday night sends the proposal to the city's voters, who also must approve it this summer before it can be formally submitted to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

MGM has proposed an approximately $800 million casino on 14.5 acres of land in the city's South End.

The agreement calls for the company to make annual payments to Springfield of more than $25 million if the casino is built.

Mohegan Sun and Hard Rock International have also proposed casinos in western Massachusetts.

The state will approve only one casino in western Massachusetts, one of three to be allowed in different regions of the state.

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