The City Council agreed with residents that it makes sense for a citywide vote on casinos because the casino will ultimately affect all neighborhoods
SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield City Council on Monday voted unanimously to have a citywide vote on casino gambling rather than just a vote by the ward where a casino project is proposed.
The council vote followed six public hearings in Springfield at scattered locations, conducted by the council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee to determine if residents wanted a citywide vote or ward vote. The date of the ballot vote is not yet set, but might be sometime between June and August of this year, officials said.
Committee Chairman Bud L. Williams said that 98 percent of the residents attending the hearings were in favor of a citywide voted based on the belief that a casino affects the entire city, not just the ward where it would be located.
The city is considering two casino proposals: MGM Resorts International is proposing a casino in the South End and Penn National Gaming is proposing a casino in the North End of the downtown area.
One of both of the casinos will be proposed on the ballot, and one of both, if approved, would be forwarded for consideration by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Just one casino license will be granted in Western Massachusetts, under state law.