On June 21, 2018, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) voted 4-to-1 to approve MGM Springfield’s gaming beverage license application, including two-hours of extended alcohol service on the gaming floor for engaged gamblers. The Commission, during a public meeting at its Boston office, reviewed and discussed the proposal before issuing its decision. Chairman Steve Crosby and Commissioners Gayle Cameron, Bruce Stebbins and Enrique Zuniga voted to approve the application with several required license conditions. Commissioner Eileen O’Brien voted in opposition of MGM’s request, explicitly stating that although she is agreeable to the overall proposal, she objects to extended hours.

As required by the gaming law, MGM Springfield recently submitted a beverage license application to the MGC. The application includes a request for 22 licensed areas throughout the property. Generally, the application seeks alcohol service at each of these areas between the hours of 8 a.m. – 2 a.m. According to the license application, all front-facing bars will close at 2 a.m. Also, MGM Springfield requested extended alcohol service between 2 a.m. – 4 a.m. specifically on the casino floor and only to patrons actively engaged in gambling. A recent legislative amendment provided the MGC with authority to consider a two-hour extension of alcohol service (between 2 a.m. – 4 a.m.) at licensed gaming facilities only on the gaming floor so long as the patron is actively gaming and to require the necessary restrictions and limitations.

During the public meeting, the commissioners stressed the need for strict adherence to safety and security procedures throughout the MGM property. The Commission also required several license conditions:

1. The beverage license will be reviewed and rigorously analyzed by both MGM Springfield and MGC staff 90 days after opening.
2. The Commission granted MGC Executive Director Ed Bedrosian with direct authority to intervene on any issues and, if necessary, the ability to suspend or further condition the license.
3. Executive Director Bedrosian and MGC staff will conduct a final review of the site and plan immediately before opening.

Chairman Crosby said, “All of the commissioners considered this a very difficult vote. But after considerable deliberation, a majority decided that the extensive security and surveillance systems at the MGM Springfield casino, along with the thorough training of casino staff to prevent excessive drinking, warranted an opportunity to try out the extended hours made possible by the recent legislative amendment,” Crosby added, “Our Investigations and Enforcement Bureau and our research team with rigorously review the first 90 days of operation, to determine what, if any, negative consequences occur from the extended hours.”

The Commission previously requested public comment on this matter; all submitted comments are available for review on MGC’s website, MassGaming.com. During the public deliberation, Commissioner Zuniga specifically highlighted a public comment provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). Zuniga summarized for his fellow commissioners the findings of several studies included in DPH’s submission. The studies are available for review on MGC’s website (DPH comment begins on page 80 of the linked PDF).

Visit MGC’s online Meeting Archive to review all relevant documents.