Rivers Casino not worried about competition

Rivers Casino officials said that they’re not worried about the upcoming opening of the MGM casino in Springfield.

US.- Despite the fact that the upcoming MGM Springfield will be three times bigger than the upstate New York Rivers Casino, officials from the latter are not worried about the future competition.

As reported by MassLive, the casino’s Vice President of Marketing Danny Brockdorf said that he doesn’t expect MGM Springfield to have a significant impact on their operations. “Our customers are more likely be out here, make a day trip — we do have the resort to really cater to folks who are already coming into town,” he said in an interview. “I don’t see much of an impact from MGM Springfield,” he said, and commented that the majority of their visitors come from nearby towns like Albany and Saratoga.

“Our casino, along with hotel and resort product, allow us to draw from outside of just the local radius, but, of course, we do depend a lot on the local area to support the business. There’s competition, as well as this attraction that we’re looking for from a regional standpoint. Our draw is generally within 150 miles: that’s our radius,” he added.

MGM Springfield was hoping that it would draw players from neighboring states, as well as casinos from Massachusetts. The state’s two tribes are currently trying to build a third casino to compete with MGM’s upcoming facility. “Of course we’re aware of all competition, the Schenectady facility has been on our radar ever since the license was issued. Generally we feel regardless of the type of competition in the market that MGM facilities have the ability to grow the market in our unique destinations, and that’s proven out with our early success in National Harbor right outside of D.C,” said Mike Mathis, president of MGM Springfield.