Casino gambling in Massachusetts is getting a makeover. The new MGM Springfield casino will bring the state its first taste of Vegas-style gaming with a $960 million complex that features a luxury hotel, restaurants, retail area and casino floor.
Inside the MGM Springfield
The MGM Springfield will be home to plenty of amenities that will cater to all kinds of visitors. There will be a bowling alley, movie theatre, skating rinks and spa on the 2 million square foot property. As such, the MGM Springfield will be more of a multi-purpose resort than a lone casino space.
The casino floor stretches across an impressive 125,000 square foot area. There will be over 2500 slot machines, 120 gaming tables, a poker room and a VIP area for high rollers. It will definitely be one of the premier gaming venues in the state, offering players a huge range of activities.
This will be the first time that Massachusetts residents will be able to wager on certain table games. It was only in 2011 that casinos were allowed to operate within the state. In 2015, Plainridge Park become the state’s first-ever slots parlour while Encore Boston Harbor will be another full-service casino that is set to open later this year. There could be another casino license issued, but the process has been delayed.
With Local Flavor
The lobby of the hotel pays homage to local culture, featuring important historical items. Many of the objects on display were obtained from the Brimfield Antiques and Collectibles Show. You’ll find vintage copies of the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, which is based in Springfield, as well as classic Milton Bradley board games. The books on the shelves are all written by local authors, and there are old yearbooks from local high schools.
In the hotel itself, there are some nods to famous authors from Massachusetts, as well. The Presidential Suite has a large chandelier that as been custom made with hats inspired by Dr Seuss, and lighting fixtures in the hallways are shaped like his glasses.
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The building also aims to pay homage to the area in which it has been built. Trees that were removed in order to make way for the casino have been refashioned into tables while the 1985 State Armory building was preserved as an events venue. MGM also rebuilt the former YWCA’s façade and the main meeting rooms features the stained-glass dome from the United Electric Co.
The beautiful and exciting new will open on Friday. It is sure to mark an important milestone in Massachusetts history, both in terms of gaming and architectural excellence.
