State’s First Resort Casino Receives Regulatory Authorization for August 24^th Public Opening

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) today issued regulatory approval for MGM Springfield’s public opening on August 24, 2018.

Pictured l-r: Commissioner Bruce Stebbins and Mike Mathis, president and COO of MGM Springfield

Under the close observation of MGC staff, MGM Springfield successfully completed test play nights on August 16 and 20. MGC staff monitored and evaluated the practice events for strict adherence and compliance with state law and MGC’s internal control regulations. MGC’s Investigations and Enforcement Bureau (IEB), the Information Technology Division (ITD) and the Finance Division worked together to supervise gaming systems and procedures to ensure the integrity of the games, compliance with regulations and overall adherence to Massachusetts’ strict gaming standards.

“As MGM Springfield prepares to open its doors, the MGC remains focused on ensuring that our policies and procedures protect the integrity of the industry and safeguard fair play for patrons,” said Commissioner Bruce Stebbins, who observed the test nights and was delegated by fellow commissioners to issue opening approval. “I want to commend the dedication of the IEB, ITD, finance and all additional MGC staff for their commitment to the highest standards of regulatory compliance.”

At an August 2 public meeting in Springfield, Mass., the five-member Commission authorized the August test nights and determined that MGM Springfield demonstrated “material compliance” with the gaming law, commission regulations and the terms and conditions of its license.  The MGC’s extensive review of the overall project acknowledged that MGM Springfield had met or exceeded requirements in areas including construction commitments, regional marketing and economic development, diversity, employee and vendor licensing, responsible gaming, and numerous other license obligations. The MGC will continue to closely monitor licensee commitments post-opening.

“Both the City of Springfield and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission set very high standards for this project. Our unique requirements included a commitment to local culture and history, promotion of regional tourist attractions, accessibility to non-gaming activities on-site, substantial mitigation payments to host and surrounding communities, a relentless commitment to diversity, and to local hiring and vendor utilization. MGM Springfield accepted the challenge and then raised it some more,” said Chairman Steve Crosby. “I applaud MGC staff for their steadfast commitment to the successful implementation of our strong gaming law and the persistent and collaborative focus on maximum job creation and economic development while also taking a proactive approach to the minimization of unintended consequences.”

The Commission will issue MGM’s final operations certificate during a public meeting in September on a date to be determined.

About MGM Springfield
MGM Springfield covers three city blocks in the heart of downtown Springfield, Mass. Igniting a cultural and economic renaissance in a historic New England city, the approximately 2 million-square-foot development, which combines new construction with revived historic buildings, will offer more than 125,000 square feet of gaming space, a 250-room boutique hotel on Main Street and superior spa services, diverse retail and inspired dining headlined by award-winning Chef Michael Mina’s Cal Mare. MGM Springfield also will feature a Regal luxury cinema, bowling lanes, a seasonal skating rink and outdoor marketplace displaying local art, events, and talent. MGM Springfield will open August 24, 2018. For additional information, please visit mgmspringfield.com.

About MassGaming

The mission of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is to create a fair, transparent, and participatory process for implementing the expanded gaming law passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in November 2011. In creating that process, the Commission will strive to ensure that its decision-making and regulatory systems engender the confidence of the public and participants, and that they provide the greatest possible economic development benefits and revenues to the people of the Commonwealth, reduce to the maximum extent possible the potentially negative or unintended consequences of the new legislation, and allow an appropriate return on investment for gaming providers that assures the operation of casino-resorts of the highest quality. For more information on MGC, please visit MassGaming.com or connect and share on Twitter (@MassGamingComm) or Facebook www.facebook.com/MAGamingComm.