Hard Rock International, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, is out of the running for a commercial casino in western Massachusetts. Voters in West Springfield rejected a host agreement for the $800 million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino New England by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent. Local approval is required to move forward in the process. “We respect their decision and thank them for welcoming us into their community for the past eight months,” Hard Rock said in a statement, Bloomberg News reported. The vote leaves the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut in the running for the western casino license. The host agreement for the Mohegan Sun Palmer faces a vote later this year in the town of Palmer. MGM Resorts International also remains in the running. Voters in Springfield already approved the company's host agreement. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is expected to make a decision on the license in early 2014. Get the Story:
West Springfield Hard Rock casino opponents celebrate 'David against Goliath' victory (The Springfield Republican 9/11)
West Springfield Voters Reject Hard Rock’s Casino Proposal (Bloomberg News 9/10)
West Springfield voters reject casino proposal (AP 9/10)
Related Stories
Two tribes set for crucial votes on
Massachusetts casino bids (9/10)Hard Rock faces vote on commercial casino in Massachusetts (08/19)
Join the Conversation
