Limber up! It’s time for this week’s jog over to the site of MGM’s new casino resort in Springfield’s South End. Once you start tracking an $800 million construction project, the hits just keep on coming. So put those ear buds in, and let’s catch up on casino news with an updated playlist:
Police & Thieves: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is working with local law enforcement on a new statewide research project to establish what they call “baseline levels of public safety activity” in towns and cities that are currently building gaming facilities. This data will allow for a “Before” picture of criminal activity in these areas. If that doesn’t get you excited for the “After” results, we don’t know what will! Fortunately, Plainville, in eastern Massachusetts, is opening a new gambling facility in June, which gives Springfield police two years to, hopefully, take notes.
Why Can’t We Be Friends?: Gambling proponents in Connecticut are brainstorming like crazy to come up with ways to boost declining revenues at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods and forestall potential losses to their northerly neighbor once MGM Springfield opens. Where oh where in northern Connecticut might we one day look forward to another one of these cash-money meccas? Peggy Sayers, for one — the state’s rep for Windsor Locks — likes the idea of a new slot parlor at the sports bar Bobby V’s near Bradley International Airport. Hot streaks fueled by hot wings? Sounds desperately delicious.•
