The COVID-19 pandemic affected every casino in the US. Most closed for a while, and when they opened, games and services were curtailed. One Massachusetts casino recently re-added services. Table games are open 24 hours again at MGM Springfield.
MGM Springfield is one of three Massachusetts casinos.
Table games at MGM Springfield, which opened Aug. 24, 2018, returned to 24/7 availability June 13.
Which games were affected?
Casino spokesperson Beth Ward told PlayMA that table games closed from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. the past two years.
“MGM Springfield is happy to once again offer table games 24/7,” Ward said. “It is one more positive step in our property’s reopening plan as we continue to adjust to guest and market demand.”
Several table games now are available 24 hours a day:
- Blackjack
- Three Card Poker
- Four Card Poker
- Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em
- Craps
- Roulette
- Mini Baccarat
- Midi Baccarat
- Big 6
- Let it Ride
- Spanish 21
Ward said other games that closed early because of the pandemic have expanded hours again. Some now are open until 4 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on weekends.
No special permission needed
Casino officials informed the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) of the change. The MGC didn’t require it, commission spokesperson Thomas Mills said.
“It was just a business decision on their end,” Mills said. “The commissioners were informed about it, but there was no gaming commission action that needed to be taken.”
New casino in state not happening for now
MGM Springfield is 125,000-square-foot facility housing more than 2,500 slot machines, keno, poker and table games. It’s one of two resort casinos in the state. The Expanded Gaming Act of 2011 allows casinos in three regions:
- Region A: Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk and Worcester counties
- Region B: Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin and Berkshire counties
- Region C: Bristol, Plymouth, Nantucket, Dukes and Barnstable counties
MGM sits on the north side of I-91 near the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Region B.
State Sen. John Cronin proposed bill S258 to add a fourth casino in the Leominster area. The measure got sent back for committee analysis and won’t be revisited during this legislative session.
