Penn National Gaming is Serious About Building a Massachusetts Casino

There were a lot of talks and speculations about Penn National Gaming plans to build a casino resort in Massachusetts. The plans are now official after the company announced the submission of non-refundable application fees in compliance with American gambling laws.

$250,000 was paid to the City of Springfield and another $400,000 went to the commonwealth of Massachusetts coffers. The application fees were the latest step in the long process of Penn National acquiring the only casino license for the Western Massachusetts.

The casino resort in question is said to be an $800 million project built on over 13 acres of land north of Springfield. Penn National Gaming is planning on erecting a comprehensive development project including a Hollywood-themed casino next to other things.

Penn National president and COO, Tim Wilmott, had the following comments for American gambling news: “As required by both the City of Springfield and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we are pleased to have provided our application fees today.”

He went on to add: “We are more confident than ever that our proposal to develop a casino in the north end of Springfield is superior to any others that have been proposed in Western Massachusetts.”

The state is planning to give out three casino licenses for the Western Massachusetts. One of the competitors Penn National has to face will be MGM Resorts International. The latter is known to pursue not only land-based casino interests, but is also said to be involved in American online casinos should they become legal.

Penn National’s project is expected to benefit the state and the region in terms of both tax revenues and infrastructure. The company is working closely on the project with Peter Picknelly, CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines, which is based in Springfield and controls the land the casino is supposed to be built on.