The president of MGM Springfield has come out against a ballot question that could add a fifth gambling location in Massachusetts.
In 2011, the state legislature approved three casinos and a slots parlor in the state. If a developer, who the Boston Globe reports lives in Thailand, has his way, there would be another slots parlor in Revere. The man is behind Question 1 on November’s ballot.
Mike Mathis, president of MGM Springfield, is against it.
“We think the legislation set the ground rules and we think it needs to be respected,” Mathis said. “Geographically, that’s not as much a concern for us here is western Mass. But, you know, we think that’s it’s a really good piece of legislation and you shouldn’t tinker with it.”
Mathis’s comments came during a tour of the building site of MGM’s casino, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018.
Even if voters say yes to the additional slots parlor, it would still require the approval of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and the city of Revere.
MGM is also facing the possibility of a third casino in Connecticut — right over the state line.