MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming, two casino operators that are seemingly locked in an endless game of one-upmanship, have both submitted their respective casino plans in Western Massachusetts, meeting the Janary 15 deadline set by city and state officials. The applications, which were submitted to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, includes respective proposals from the two casino giants on their respective plans to build their resort-style casinos in Springfield should they be awarded the sole casino license in the area.
For MGM, the proposal includes an $850 million resort casino that will be built in Downtown Springfield and will include, a residential district, as well as dining, retail, and entertainment options. The operator also hinted at creating more than 3,000 permanent jobs and 2,000 temporary construction jobs that will be created when the casino begins construction, extending all the way to operations employment for the permanent jobs.
Meanwhile, Penn National Gaming’s proposal calls for the creation of Hollywood Casino Springfield on 13.4 acres of land in the city’s North End area. The proposal includes an $806 million development plan that will employ around 2,500 construction jobs and 1,500 casino-related jobs.
Mohegan wants in on the action
In addition to the two rival companies, the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority is also looking into filing its own application for the one casino license in western Massachusetts. The company’s proposal calls for a $600 million casino to be built on 152 acres of land in Palmer, Massachusetts where it will come with a host of posh amenities, including a luxury hotel, retail, dining, and entertainment options, and casino gaming that will carry an unspecified number of table games and slot machines.
Pennsylvania cashes in on 2012 slots revenue
Down in Pennsylvania, the state’s Gaming Control Board reported that gross revenue from slot machines in 2012 reached an all-time high, raking in $2.5 billion for the entire calendar year, a record number that eclipsed – by 2.7% – 2011’s $2.41 billion total.
The new record figure is the sixth year in a row where the state saw increased revenue from its slot machines. That’s all the more notable considering the growing number of competing casinos in neighboring states like New Jersey, Maryland, and even Ohio, and the fact that it was only in 2006 when the state’s first casino opened.
Of Pennsylvana’s 11 casinos, Greenwood Gaming’s Parx casino reported revenues of $384.6 million, a 2.1% increase from its 2011 numbers. Likewise, Sands Casino Resort, Rivers, and Harrah’s Philadelphia, all reported improved gross revenue numbers from their slot machines, raking in $291.5 million, $282.1 million, and 259.5 million, respectively.
