Casino conversations in Chicopee continue

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Casino developers are still showing interest in building in Chicopee, Mayor Michael Bissonnette told the 22News I-Team Monday.

Bissonnette said he's had conversations with Ameristar, Penn National Gaming and Hard Rock International recently.

Hard Rock recently announced interest in building at the Big E in West Springfield, Penn National has long shown interest in building in the North End of Springfield and Ameristar was once interested in building on Page Blvd. in Springfield but pulled out of the race in November.

Bissonnette said there's been talk about building in three different locations; in downtown Chicopee, near Westover Air Reserve Base, and near Chicopee River Business Park.

He said he hasn't seen any concrete proposals.

As of Monday night, both Penn National Gaming and Hard Rock International had submitted the $400,000 mandatory, non-refundable application fee to the state, Ameristar had not.

According to the Gaming Commission rules, any gaming company that wants to be considered must submit the fee by 5:00 Tuesday night.

Any gaming company, from that point, will be considered as the state begins its research on the different companies.

The Gaming Commission will not start looking at specific locations and proposals until later in the process.
Gaming companies are free to change proposed casino locations if they choose.

Bissonnette says he'll be interested to see if any of the conversations to bring a casino to Chicopee transform into any concrete proposals.