In the US state of Massachusetts officials in the city of Springfield are worried about what will happen to their casino ambitions if MGM Resorts follows Caesars in not being found suitable for a gaming licence.
City council president Jimmy Ferrera sent a letter to the state gaming commission asking if the city could replace MGM if it fails its background check and whether the second phase of licensing could then be extended.
An issue with MGM is whether Massachusetts, like New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement, would look negatively on its relationship with Pansy Ho, whose father has been said to have had associations with criminals, though that has never been formally charged.
MGM responded to Ferrera that it sees no legitimate reason why it would fail the background check. MGM recently decided to reopen its New Jersey gaming application saying that Pansy Ho is now just a minority partner in MGM China.
Caesars also criticised the commission as setting regulatory requirements that are unreasonable and inconsistent with other jurisdictions. CEO Gary Loveman said other multi-property companies would find it difficult to get licensed in Massachusetts.
Source: Fantini’s Gaming Report
