SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Massachusetts gambling regulators are pressing for more details on why the cost of MGM’s planned Springfield casino has ballooned.
Casino officials disclosed last month that the cost of the downtown casino and hotel complex has risen from $800 million to more than $950 million, despite the company’s efforts to propose cost-saving design changes.
State Gaming Commission members expressed skepticism Thursday at MGM’s estimates.
They questioned how MGM arrived at the projections, which the company says largely represent increased labor, construction material and project administration costs.
MGM officials said they’d provide details, but cautioned that some information is proprietary.
The discussion preceded a more-than-hour-long hearing at the MassMutual Center where Springfield-area residents weighed in on the design changes, which require state and city approval.