Massachusetts Cities Struggle as Casino Funds Are Cut

• Massachusetts lawmakers took away the money meant for cities to handle casino problems like traffic and police leaving local projects suddenly unfunded.
• Local leaders say the state broke its promise by cutting the fund forcing communities to deal with ongoing casino issues and unfinished improvement projects alone.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Massachusetts cities that once relied on casino mitigation funding are now facing sharp financial strain after lawmakers redirected the money into the state budget for the second consecutive year.

The Community Mitigation Fund, which was established in 2015 to assist local governments in addressing the persistent difficulties associated with having a casino close by, is now anticipated to generate only $5 million for the 2027 fiscal year, as opposed to its typical $22 million.

Many communities are uncertain about how they will continue to fund services and programs that have traditionally relied on this funding due to the abrupt decline.

The changes, according to local officials, mix with ongoing legal casino demands. Numerous Gateway Cities continue to struggle with traffic problems, demands for public safety, and community upgrades related to nearby casino establishments.

In order to improve walkways, lighting, and parks close to the casino sector, as well as to increase police presence around MGM Springfield, Springfield has relied on approximately $3 million annually. Only roughly $360,000 is now anticipated by the city.

The decrease coincides with the ongoing burden on city resources caused by visitor traffic.

Holyoke, too, is grieving. The city established initiatives like the Explore Holyoke website and a shuttle that connected the city with Springfield activities, as well as utilizing mitigation money to research gambling habits in the area. Officials claim they have research findings but lack the resources to address them because the financing is no longer available.

Cities Take the Hit

As interest in legal Massachusetts online gambling through, the fear is intensifying. Although they now have fewer resources to address it, local authorities claim that the trend presents new difficulties for public awareness campaigns and ethical gaming.

Elsewhere, communities are running into the same problems. Lynn used its grant to install dozens of security cameras in busy public areas. The fund was also used in West Springfield and Agawam for public safety improvements and road repairs close to casino corridors.

Now, without steady support, local officials worry these projects could slow down or stall altogether, leaving neighborhoods without the improvements they were promised.

State legislators argue that the market for casinos has stabilized and that the effects of the early development phase have subsided. Local leaders counter that the promises made during casino development were meant to last.