Developers of proposed casinos in Western Massachusetts are actively involved in philanthropy – they sponsor community events and charitable organizations to improve their image. With votes on their projects coming up soon, these are expected moves.
For example, Penn National Gaming plans to open a casino in the North End in downtown Springfield, and its local casino investor Peter A. Picknelly donated $25,000 to a nonprofit childcare organization last week.
MGM Resorts International, which plans to open a casino in the south end of downtown, donated $15,000 to Springfield’s Fourth of July event, $25,000 to the annual Christmas illumination for drivers in Forest Park and $50,000 to the South End Community Center. They also sponsor the Springfield Falcons minor hockey league team and the Springfield Armor from the NBA Development League.
Naturally, the companies that own the casinos carefully select the charities they donate to. In doing so, they say there is no charitable involvement with the casino bids. However, one would have to be naive not to see the connection.
These donations are further evidence of the investors’ faith in their project. Building a casino outside Las Vegas, Reno, or Atlantic City has always been risky. After all, these gambling establishments will have to compete with gaming capitals and the iGaming industry.
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So, D. Eric Schippers, a senior vice president at Penn National, said that the company’s contribution to Square One, a private nonprofit childcare organization, was not part of an effort to improve the company’s image. The company is part of the community and gives back to it.
At the same time, Sharianna Walker, a professor in the College of Business at Western New England University in Springfield, said charitable contributions and sponsorships by casino companies are typical practices of businesses that seek to reach out and influence public opinion. She views such business practices positively. However, the professor believes that donations by casino companies may not ultimately influence public opinion before a casino vote.
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno says the donations had no impact on the decision to choose projects. He said it was pure philanthropy and donations to good causes and non-profit organizations. As far as choosing projects, they are chosen based on a simple principle—what is the best deal and the most viable place for residents, taxpayers, and the business community?