Mohegan Sun Upsizes MA Casino Plan

PALMER, MA-Having announced a retail component with development partner Finard Properties last month, Uncasville, CT-based Mohegan Sun has upsized its proposal to build a resort casino here. The new features will grow the project, one of three vying for the only available casino license in Western Massachusetts, to nearly $1 billion in total investment.

The new components will include a 70,000-square-foot outdoor water park and a second resort-style hotel, separate from the one that will be part of the main casino. Boston-based Finard will develop the theme park and affiliated hotel, along with the 300,000 square feet of retail in the resort casino. It adds about $200 million to a project previously announced at just under $800 million.

When the affiliation with Finard was announced in May, CEO Mitchell Etess of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority said “There isn't a better, more experienced and more successful retail developer than Finard Properties, and we are thrilled to be adding them to the Mohegan Sun Massachusetts team. The portfolio of hugely successful Finard Properties' developments is spread literally throughout every corner of New England and beyond. Their creativity and expertise will be a huge asset to our application for the Western Massachusetts gaming license.”

Currently the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has just three casino licenses available, one for each geographic region. In the western part of the state, Mohegan Sun's proposal for Palmer faces competition from Penn National Gaming and MGM Resorts International, each looking to build in Springfield; and from Hard Rock International, which is proposing a casino project in West Springfield.

Mohegan Sun plans to build on a 151-acre site off Route 32 in Palmer. There, the plan calls for a 300-room hotel and spa, casino gaming and branded retail stores and restaurants. The casino will be replete with 3,000 slot machines and 80 table games, according to Mohegan Sun.