Massachusetts’ newest casino is a crime magnet, at least, according to local police reports.
On Thursday, Boston’s local ABC television affiliate WCVB reported that MGM Resorts’ new MGM Springfield casino in the state’s southwest corner experienced nearly twice as much crime in its first four months of operation than the state’s other major gaming venue – Penn National Gaming’s Plainridge Park Casino – dealt with all last year.
According to the report, Massachusetts State Police recorded 208 incidents and 120 arrests inside MGM Springfield between September and December 2018. The incidents included 16 larcenies and robberies, five assaults and two sexual offenses. Meanwhile, police responded to just 115 incidents at Plainridge Park throughout all of 2018.
Crime was also on the rise outside MGM Springfield. There were 22 crimes reported in the area surrounding the casino in the three months prior to its August opening, and 115 crimes in the five months following its opening.