Deadline day for casino developers

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Tuesday is the deadline for interested casino developers to submit their application fee to the state Gaming Commission.

All four of the developers interested in a western Massachusetts casino site have submitted their application, and their non-refundable $400,000 application fee to the state Gaming Commission.

The deadline is 5:00 P.M. for anybody else.

While discussions lately have focused on the confirmed sites in Palmer, Springfield, and West Springfield, there is still the possibility that other western Massachusetts communities may still seek a casino site. Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonette told 22News that he recently talked to Ameristar, the developer that scrapped their plans for a casino in East Springfield late last year.

Westfield has also been mentioned as a possible location for a casino.

The most recent developer to submit the application fee was Mohegan Sun, which has been proposing a casino in Palmer longer than any other developer currently interested in building in Massachusetts.

MGM was the next company to show an interest in the area. Originally planning to build near the Massachusetts Turnpike in Brimfield, they later set their sights on the South End of Springfield.

Penn National came next with a proposal for a casino along Main Street in the North End.

The newest entry, Hard Rock, last week unveiled their plans to build on the grounds of the Big E in West Springfield. Hard Rock had earlier shown an interest in building at the Wyckoff Country Club in Holyoke, and an unspecified site in downtown Springfield.

The days of a casino actually opening it's doors are a long ways away, but so far the road has been rocky.

Developer Ameristar abandoned their casino plan for East Springfield, while Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse's double casino flip-flip flop briefly brought the idea of a casino at Mountain Park.

The Springfield City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to allow a city-wide referendum vote, as opposed to a ward-specific vote. That vote could take place as early as June, but one group anti-casino group is urging city officials to push the vote back until November.