Mass. Senate Will Not Restore $3M in Casino Mitigation Funding to Springfield

A city in Massachusetts won’t be getting the millions of dollars in funding it campaigned for and had previously received.

The Massachusetts State Senate voted on Thursday on two amendments that would’ve reinstated $3 million in mitigation funding to western Massachusetts. Springfield City Councilor Sean Curran recently asked Gov. Maura Healey (D) to reallocate the funds, which had historically gone to Springfield, instead of the $360,000 that was scheduled this year.

Unfortunately for Curran, both amendments were rejected by the Senate.

Springfield misses out as Boston wins big

The Springfield City Council during an emergency meeting on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a resolution that asked the Senate to reimburse the mitigation funds. 

Springfield, notably, hosts one of Massachusetts’ three retail casinos, MGM Springfield.  

Lawmakers originally decided to reduce the $3 million allocation to help fund other state projects. One of the biggest changes involved Boston, which received $10 million in funding in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Foxborough, a town 22 miles southwest of the capital city, will host seven matches at Gillette Stadium.

“I know everybody’s struggling with budgetary challenges and what’s going on at the federal level, which the state takes a hit and then we take a hit, but this was part of the deal, and we played by the rules,” said Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno.

Sarno also told Western Mass News that the casino mitigation funding is crucial for Springfield and other western Massachusetts communities. He said he will continue fighting to restore the funds, despite the Senate’s decision not to amend its plans.

Continuing to lobby for funding

The amendments that were struck down by the Senate were proposed by Sens. Adam Gomez (D-Hampden) and Jake Oliveira (D- Hampden, Hampshire & Worcester District).

The amendments addressed the casino mitigation funds, which were part of the state’s $2 billion supplemental budget. 

“In the name of regional equity and fairness, the City of Springfield and its neighboring communities deserve continued support to address the unique impacts of casino operations,” a sponsoring letter from Curran read.

Unfortunately for Springfield and its nearby communities, the quick work to draft the proposals came to be for nothing with Thursday’s vote.

According to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s report, MGM Springfield generated $270.6 million in gross gaming revenue and $67.7 million during fiscal year 2024. It also paid $5.6 million in gaming taxes in August 2025, the last month reported by the MGC.

“The City of Springfield bears the greatest burden from casino-related traffic, public safety demands, and infrastructure needs,” said Curran. “These mitigation funds were promised to help our community manage those challenges. Redirecting this money away from Springfield breaks that commitment and places an unfair strain on our city budget.”