The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has approved a delay in the opening of the MGM Springfield casino because of a highway reconstruction project.
The commission voted 5-0 Thursday to set a September 2018 opening date for the $800 million resort casino — a year later than originally planned.
Although MassDOT says the reconstruction of I-91, which is right next to the casino site, could be done as soon as December 2017, MGM Springfield President Mike Mathis argued it was prudent to plan for a later finish.
"Certainty is the most important issue in our business so that we can negotiate and implement things that require us to 'pull the trigger today'," Mathis told commissioners at a meeting in Boston Thursday.
MGM filed a proposed construction timetable with the commission on June 25th that called for a Sept. 2018 opening.
Massachusetts will lose an estimated $11 million each month the casino opening is delayed.
