Holyoke mayor blamed for casino failure

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) - The state gaming Commission this week rejected four requests to extend the casino application deadline.  Casino developers interested in Holyoke are putting the blame on Mayor Alex Morse for failed efforts to submit a casino application in time for the January 15 ^th deadline.  They say if it weren’t for the mayor’s ambivalence, they’d be in the running for a gaming license.

“Definitely. First he tells us he’s for casinos. Then he says no.  We’ve been carrying an empty building [in Holyoke] for 18 years.  All the previous mayors supported us and encouraged us,” said Holyoke-Nonprofit Casino President Charles Petitti.

On Thursday, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission denied requests for a deadline extension from Western Massachusetts Development Company, formerly Paper City Development, and Good Samaritan.  Mayor Morse says his lack of support for the developers is nothing personal.

“Be it Paper City, be it Eric Suher, be it Charles Pettiti with the Good Sam’s proposal, I’m happy no matter what it is that a casino is not coming to the City of Holyoke.  It has nothing to do with the individuals involved and now we can move on to other things,” said Morse.

Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonette and Seafan Trust, a developer without specific development plans, were also denied waivers.  But Mayor Bissonette still hopes to partner up with eligible developers who have not yet committed to a city or town. 

“I want to let developers and operators that have applied and don’t have a site …that Chicopee is open for business and we’ll be available to talk about bringing those jobs and that revenue to my city.  If they’re up for it, so am I,” said Bissonette.

Two of eleven casino developers that have submitted compete gaming applications have not yet partnered with a host city – They are Rush Street Gaming and PPE Casino Resorts.