MGM Resorts is currently on schedule to go ahead with the opening of its new integrated casino resort in Springfield, Massachusetts. The new resort is supposed to open later this year, in September. However, MGM Resorts is also spending significant amounts of money in Connecticut, as it is lobbying the state’s government in an attempt to protect its new investment, which is costing nearly $1 billion.
MGM Resorts is continuing to lobby in Connecticut against the East Windsor casino. This is being done to try protect its new casino in Springfield, which opens in September.
Connecticut Reacting to MGM Springfield
When the state of Massachusetts gave MGM Resorts permission to build the new casino resort in Springfield, Connecticut reacted quickly and authorized a new casino of their own. The new casino would be jointly run by the state’s two Native American tribes. The new casino is set to be located in East Windsor, just 13 miles away from the new MGM casino.
MGM has been arguing in court that if Connecticut is going to expand its gambling operations for the first time in 25 years, there needs to be a competitive bidding process. MGM has also claimed that by allowing a casino to be built off of sovereign native land, it requires the consent of the state’s voters. According to some reports, MGM spent $3.8 million lobbying its opinions in 2017.
MGM Resorts Also Proposes Bridgeport Casino
Both of Connecticut’s tribal casinos are located in the South-Eastern part of the state. These are Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. The tribal leaders, as well as politicians in Connecticut, see the approval of the new $300 million satellite casino as a necessary step to make sure that the MGM casino resort in Springfield doesn’t take away gambling revenue from Connecticut.
MGM Resorts has also indicated its interest in building a $675 million casino resort in Bridgeport, Connecticut. This is 70 miles South of its new Springfield location. However, the state hasn’t seemed interested in this proposition. In addition to this, many believe that MGM’s proposal may not be completely serious and it could be bluffing. Part of the reason for this is that MGM has stated that it is scaling back its expansions going forward. The firm said that the only exception would be building a casino in Japan. Besides that, it will be focusing on its current casinos and renovating those that need it.
