First MA casino may have to wait until 2017

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has decided on a date for when the first casino license will be issued. It's the first time the State Gaming Commission has given a specific deadline, which is February 26, 2014.

Once the license is issued, industry experts say it could take up to three years to build a resort casino, which pegs 2017 as the target year for the first Massachusetts casino to open it's doors.

The state’s 2011 gaming law allows for three resort-style casinos and one slots parlor to be licensed in different geographical areas of the state. Springfield is one of the cities in the running, while there is also a proposal to build a casino in Palmer, and developers have also expressed interest in Westfield and Holyoke.

Springfield officials are trying to figure out if a referendum vote should be held city-wide or just in the affected wards. Council President James Ferrera says that he hopes everyone in Springfield gets the chance to make their voice heard on this issue.

“Half a billion to a billion dollars of investment is really going to transform the fabric here in the city of Springfield, which is why I believe every resident should have their voices heard on this very important matter,” Ferrera said.

If you want to voice your opinion, the Economic and Development Committee of the Springfield City Council is holding a meeting Thursday at the Greenleaf Community Center in Sixteen Acres at 6:30 P.M.