Springfield will push back casino vote

BOSTON (WWLP) - A planned vote on a casino in Springfield will be postponed, city officials have agreed, until the state’s Gaming Commission has evaluated applicants.

Springfield Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy sent a letter to the Gaming Commission on Tuesday, saying that Springfield will not hold a referendum vote on any proposed casinos until the state has determined that the proposed casino company pre-qualifies.

Springfield had originally planned to bring a casino proposal to voters by the spring, but the Commission is still in the process of determining criteria for applicants.

Kennedy also announced that the City is now requiring that all companies register as an applicant with the state Gaming Commission, and pay their required fee before they are able to advance to the second phase of the City’s casino search process.

During the gaming commission’s meeting in Boston on Tuesday, Commission Chair Stephen Crosby expressed satisfaction with Springfield’s decision, calling it a “positive development.”

Still, Gaming Commissioner Enrique Zuniga says the reasons for Springfield’s alternative approach, which would have closer negotiations with casino developers to determine which proposal the city would support, is “misguided.”  He says the City’s casino search process underestimates voters, does not save resources and will not result in a quicker outcome.

Crosby said Springfield officials could decide how to handle their casino search process without their approval.

"On the exercise of what process they use, whether we agree with it or not I think it is appropriate for them to make this step," Crosby said.

In last week’s meeting in Springfield, Kennedy and Mayor Domenic Sarno expressed concerns that the Gaming Commission’s process was going too slow for Springfield , which is the only community in the state where there are currently multiple casino proposals being considered.

Speaking to 22News on Tuesday afternoon, Kennedy said that they have been slowing things down to comply with the state's process. Yet even while going through the process, there could still be a vote as soon as the late spring and early summer.

Kennedy also said that they are hoping to release the city's request for proposal (the first phase of the selection process) by the end of the week.

Meanwhile, another issue concerning Springfield’s casino search process, questions of potential conflict of interest involving the City’s hired casino consultant, is still being reviewed by the state Ethics Commission.

22News State House Reporter Christine Lee is in Boston, and will have the latest on the meeting on 22News starting at 5.