SPRINGFIELD, Mass.,
Dec. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM
Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) today received a unanimous
vote from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) finding the
company a suitable candidate for a casino license in the
Commonwealth. The decision moves MGM Springfield another step
closer to being awarded the sole license to operate a destination
resort casino in Western
Massachusetts.
The Commission's 12-page decision follows the Dec. 9 positive recommendation from its
investigative division.
According to the decision, "The Commission, by unanimous vote,
finds that the Applicant has satisfied its burden of proving by
clear and convincing evidence that it meets the standards for
suitability."
MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO James J.
Murren said, "MGM is very proud to have received the
unanimous support of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission after many
months of diligent hard work and cooperation by all parties. Our
approach from the start of this rigorous process has been to be as
forthright and thorough as possible in order to showcase our
company's incredible global work ethic and high standards."
The next step in the licensing process for MGM is the submission
of its full license application, which is due to the MGC by
Dec. 31. Following that submission,
MGM will be required to present its proposal in a public hearing
before the MGC. That presentation will be followed by two community
public hearings, one in Springfield and one in an abutting community.
Details of those meetings, including dates and locations, are
expected to be set soon for January and February.
Bill Hornbuckle, President of
both MGM Resorts and MGM Springfield said, "We look forward to
submitting our MGM Springfield application later this month, and to
ultimately being awarded the sole gaming license in Western Massachusetts. The people of
Springfield and the region deserve
this opportunity. We would be honored to bring our business and
community partnerships to Western
Massachusetts and be a driver of the resurgence of
Springfield."
For nearly two years, MGM officials have been working with
Springfield's community and
business leaders, stakeholders and residents to gain understanding
and support for MGM Springfield. The project was endorsed by many
groups and individuals that included neighborhood associations,
cultural and civic organizations and labor unions. In July, MGM
Springfield was overwhelmingly approved by the voters of
Springfield.
MGM officials continue to have conversations throughout the
Western Massachusetts
region. As a result, MGM Springfield was recently endorsed by
regional chambers of commerce representing more than 2500
businesses, finalized an exclusive marketing agreement with Six
Flags New England, and reached surrounding community agreements
with Ludlow, Agawam, East
Longmeadow, Wilbraham, and
Chicopee. The company believes its outreach efforts will lead
to further surrounding community agreements in the coming
weeks.
MGM Springfield, an approximately $800
million resort, is proposed for 14.5 acres of land between
Union and State streets, and Columbus Avenue and Main Street.
The MGC anticipates that the resort-casino licenses for
Eastern Massachusetts (Region A)
and Western Massachusetts (Region
B) will be awarded in spring 2014.
About MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM)
MGM Resorts
International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global
hospitality companies, operating destination resort brands
including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage.
The Company also owns 51 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited,
which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is in the process of
developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter
in Las Vegas, which features ARIA
resort and casino.
For more information about the company please visit
www.mgmresorts.com.
SOURCE MGM Resorts International