The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will hear Tuesday from cities and towns seeking compensation from casino operators.
Hampden, Longmeadow and Northampton have failed to reach agreements with MGM on compensation for potential impacts if the company builds a resort casino in downtown Springfield, so they’ve asked the commission to intervene. Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz said a consultant figures businesses will lose up to $8 million in annual sales, costing up to 180 job s if a casino is built 16 miles away.
“The impacts are significant, so we are going to make that case to the gaming commission. We are going to present the data.”
MGM has reached surrounding community agreements to make annual payments to five towns and the city of Holyoke.
