State Gaming Commission excursions MGM Springfield amid mitigation funding row

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – From $3 million a 12 months to zero, that’s the funding disaster dealing with Springfield after the state pulled the plug on on line casino mitigation cash. If you’ve loved the enhancements downtown or felt safer with elevated police patrols, these modifications may disappear.

For seven years Springfield has counted on on line casino cash to remodel town. $3 million a 12 months that constructed court docket sq., paid for police particulars at occasions comparable to Star-Spangled Springfield, employed extra police, and glued neighborhood parks. Recently, metropolis leaders discovered that cash pipeline has been shut off fully.

At Thursday’s Gaming Commission assembly, officers praised Springfield’s Downtown transformation. Mayor Domenic Sarno has turned court docket sq. from an eyesore right into a group gathering place. But with out on line casino mitigation funds, these enhancements may cease. The cash has paid for every thing, from pothole repairs to police additional time, from park renovations to financial growth initiatives that introduced new companies downtown. Although the Massachusetts Gaming Commission appears to see the necessity for the funds, sadly the Massachusetts Legislature doesn’t.

“We used a lot of that money to leverage bringing more money, and also city money for infrastructure projects. Police, fire, court square, economic development projects. You name it, we’ve done it. Now so, the powers that be on Beacon Hill have decided to change the claim field. And they decided to take that money away. Obviously, I’m very disappointed and upset by that. I hope they re-look at it, especially for direct host cities,” stated Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno, in response to the State House denying Springfield’s request for the return of the mitigation funding to town.

For almost a decade, on line casino cash has been a game-changer for native communities. $57 million {dollars} since 2015. Statewide and when MGM Springfield got here to city in 2018 native cities comparable to Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, and West Springfield all began to get a chunk of the pie. Then in 2024, the legislature modified the foundations. as a substitute of serving to native cities, the cash now funds statewide priorities.

It’s a reminder that when the state modifications the foundations, native communities pay the value. Springfield constructed its downtown revival on on line casino cash, now it should discover one other method ahead.

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