Casino competition heats up

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield leaders met individually with executives from MGM, Penn National Gaming and Ameristar Casinos on Thursday.

22News has had the opportunity to talk with an executive of each casino company interested in Springfield.  All involved are getting their final proposals ready.

Phase Two of Springfield's casino plan is underway.  10 months ago in January, Springfield's Chief Development officer Kevin Kennedy told 22News the city had one preliminary proposal from Ameristar for less than $500 Million dollars.  Now it has three; all with more than $800 Million price tags.

"I think the city is best served, if it has 3 quality proposals that meet the cities needs, why put them all up to the gaming commission", says Ameristar CEO Gordon Kanofsky. 

One month from now, Penn National and Ameristar will have to pay the state gaming commission $400,000. MGM has already paid.  All three developers will have to pay Springfield $250,000 to cover consulting costs for studies.

"We have a balance sheet that is very, very strong and we have a very sincere interest in pursuing the Western Massachusetts license", says Penn National Gaming Chief Operating Officer Timothy Wilmott.

There are some potential crossroads ahead. Ameristar owns all of its land, but needs MassDOT approval to pay for a $52 million overpass to be built next to its site in East Springfield.  Penn National is very close to having all the land it needs, but there is the potential of a major construction project on I-91 next to its plan in the North End.  And MGM still wants to acquire more property.  "

We own a couple of these sites, our partners own a vast majority of these sites.  Those that we didn't own collectively, we have options on and then there's the city perspective", says MGM Springfield President Bill Hornbuckle.

Springfield is selling two properties in MGM's South End plan.  Interested buyers have to submit proposals to the city by December 7th.  

Springfield will announce which developer or developers it selects at the end of January.  The plan now is to vote on a ballot question for or against a casino or casinos sometime in June.