underage casino problem mgm springfield ma

The facility’s general counsel and vice-president, Seth Stratton, stated that some underage gaming was intentional, but a portion of the problem was down to lack of understanding because this is the first gaming facility in the community. Only those who are 21 years of age or older, or guests of the MGM hotel, will be allowed in the facility after midnight. A midnight curfew has also been put into effect. To try and stop the problem, MGM has banned unattended minors and considers any individual under 16 to be an unattended minor. “We’ve got some parents who are choosing to leave their children in different parts of the resort while they game and we’ve identified that issue and it is a big problem for us and it is a big problem for the experience.” We’re stopping them and we’re trying to increase our communication around that. Speaking to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, CEO and president of MGM Springfield Michael Mathis said: “We definitely still have some folks that are getting onto the floor who are underage. All these amenities will be enticing to families with children as well as teens aged 16 and older who can drive, but do not meet the 21-year age requirement for the gaming floor.īecause of the design of the space, people who are under 21 are gaining access to the casino.

In the near future, there will also be a movie theater. The new casino resort was designed to include an open-air plaza and retail shopping center as well as restaurant dining.

MGM Springfield is handling around 25,000 visitors during weekdays and 50,000 on weekends, being so busy that youngsters are finding their way to the game floor, an issue the casino must get a handle on. Underage gambling is a big deal at casinos, as regulators impose fines for minors accessing the casino space as well as for playing games.

This has resulted in a problem with minors accessing the gaming floor. Having opened just three weeks ago, the MGM Springfield has been extremely busy trying to handle the tens of thousands of customers visiting the resort casino each day.

Underage casino problem mgm springfield ma