President Michael Mathis has confirmed that the construction progress of MGM Springfield is running smoothly, set to keep on schedule for an opening date in September of 2018. The construction phase of the $950 million hotel and casino project has continued thanks to favorable weather conditions.

The MGM Springfield is one of three commercial casinos that could be located in Massachusetts, this location being in downtown Springfield. A statewide vote allowed casino gaming to expand, with the state Gaming Commission allowing as many as three casino resorts and a slots parlor to be created in the state. Wynn Boston Harbor gained one of the licenses. A third license could still be awarded, but the contender for that region, with plans to locate a casino in Brockton, had their bid rejected in April. First Light Casino, another multi-billion dollar endeavor is a tribal casino facing litigation and is not counted in the licensing numbers.

Plainridge Park Casino is the slots parlor allowed in the state and the first to open as a commercial gambling facility. With MGM Springfield, the venue will be the first full-fledged casino in the state as competitors will not be ready to open until a future date. Voters in the state were asked on November 8 whether they would approve a second slot parlor. That ballot measure was defeated.

MGM Springfield will be located in a central area of the city and will sit on 14 acres of land, occupying three city blocks. The area will include residential buildings, dining and retail stores, a hotel and of course, the gaming venue.

During the construction phase, the complex is expected to create as many as 2,000 temporary employment positions. A minimum of 3,000 individuals will be employed once the venue opens, across several areas including the casino, hotel and more. Over 2,000 positions will be full-time.