City Council Pres. James Ferrera questioning timing of casino process

BOSTON (WWLP) - Is the Springfield casino selection process moving too fast? That’s a question being asked by the City Council President.

Springfield City Council Pres. James Ferrera sent a letter to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission asking if Springfield’s casino selection process deadlines are within the parameters of what the city is allowed to do. One of Ferrera’s concerns is that Springfield does not have the time and resources to thoroughly vet casino developers.

The Commission has nevertheless agreed that it is within the authority of cities and towns to set their own negotiation timelines.

“Even though there’s some kind of disconnect with our rules, that the answer was yes, we have decided that the town, the cities and towns are given the authority to set the parameters of their negotiations,” said Stephen Crosby, Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

Last week, Ameristar Casinos, MGM International, and Penn-National Gaming made the application deadline and paid the $50,000 fee to be considered a potential developer in Springfield.

The city will announce the preliminary qualifying companies on November 1.