Eleven applications for casinos and slots facilities in Mass. were filed before the January 15th deadline to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission with the single slot-parlor license to be awarded by the end of 2013. The list of applicants that paid the non-refundable $400,000 fee to enter Phase 1 includes casino veterans MGM Springfield, Penn National Gaming, Hard Rock MA, Wynn, and Mohegan Sun. Also Plainridge Racecourse, Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, Raynham Park, Mass Gaming Entertainment, PPE Casino Resorts, and Crossroads Massachusetts filed applications.
There's the most competition for the license in Western Mass. Four developers have submitted applications for that region. MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming are interested in building in Springfield. Hard Rock is looking to build at the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds and Mohegun Sun in Palmer.
The Mass. Gaming Commission will award license for the slot/parlor facility by the end of 2013 and the first resort casino license will be awarded in the first quarter of 2014.