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Springfield Mayor: No casino vote on June 25

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - There will be no casino referendum in Springfield on June 25 as originally scheduled, the same day Massachusetts voters will be going to the polls to elect a new U.S. senator.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno announced Tuesday that negotiations with two prospective casino developers will not be completed in time to facilitate a referendum in conjunction with the special election - as the city had hoped.

MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming have proposed resort casinos in the city.

City officials are in the process of negotiating host community agreements with one or both of the companies that must be approved by the city council and by Springfield voters.

The state gambling commission will make the final decision on awarding the sole casino license for western Massachusetts.