Springfield voters Tuesday approved by city officials and MGM Resorts International three regional resort casino license permitting, the state's new casino gambling law agreements between competing.
Referendum marks an important milestone in the southern city raised $ 800 million resort casino MGM.
Complete unofficial returns showed the referendum passed 58-42 percent, 24,278 votes, voter turnout nearly 25% of the registered voters. The state's casino law requires voters approved a prospective casino developers can apply for former Massachusetts Gaming Commission's host community agreement.
MGM promised in the agreement of Springfield Mayor 多米尼克萨 Nagorno pay more than 25 million U.S. dollars a year, if it is to build a casino. The proposal may permit western Massachusetts in the competition for two people. Mohegan Sun Mohegan Sun resort town has been proposed Palmer casino and hard rock has a plan, the eastern states in the West Springfield City exhibition. Votes can be cast these proposals in September.
Springfield, working-class city of about 150,000, is the state's third largest.
Bill Hornbuckle Casino, MGM's president and chief marketing officer, said that "once in a lifetime opportunity," Springfield. In addition to annual income for the city, he said, the project will provide 3,000 permanent jobs and 2,000 temporary construction jobs. MGM has committed to provide 35% of employment opportunities Springfield residents and 90% of the people within the region.
Campaign finance records show that MGM late last month spent nearly $ 1 million, through the efforts to win voter approval, but opponents say that during this time they only spent about $ 1,000.
Critics say casinos will prey residents of low-income and elderly people, and lead to crime and traffic problems.
Citizens Against Casino Gambling, Michael Guthrie, head and said, Tuesday's results are not surprising and will now focus on the Gaming Commission does not issue licenses to convince MGM group.
Supporters say the casino development that will enhance a city, it's luck has been in modern times.
Basketball Hall of Fame, the birthplace of basketball and home of the famous, the city in the early part of the last decade the crumbling state bankruptcy was brought before the board for five years, until 2009, to manage its financial affairs.
Severely damaged areas of the city, including the MGM casino proposal by June 2011 a tornado. Last November, another part of the city gas explosion destroyed a building damaged by about 40 people.
In addition to annual payments, MGM has promised to improve traffic and to ensure that at least 35% of the jobs created by the casino to Springfield residents, 90% of people who live in the area.
MGM faces other obstacles before they can formally apply for a license in western, including to meet the requirements, it is with the nearby cities and towns, and take measures to mitigate any potential adverse impacts on these communities.
Commission may in the eastern and western regions early next year licensing. The third area of ??southeastern Massachusetts status remains uncertain, 马什皮瓦帕 concentrated tribe pursues a federal land trust agreement, plans to build a casino in Taunton.
 



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