“One of the things is the process in Massachusetts took some time. The casino executive explained that the initial estimates were made in a different business environment. “Careful, careful,” Mathis admonished Felger. MGM executives had told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission they expected to generate $418 million in gross gaming revenue from the first full year of operations, but the casino actually generated $273.8 million, falling short of the initial projection by $144 million.ĭuring a December appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub, afternoon drive co-host Michael Felger pressed Mathis about whether MGM or other casino companies “gave the state inflated numbers to get your deal.” MGM Springfield’s gambling revenues have never come close to the projections made by the company when it applied for the license, and in December fell below $19 million for the first time. The new president and COO in Springfield will be Chris Kelley, who’s held high-level jobs at casinos in San Diego, Detroit and most recently, Northfield Park, outside of Cleveland. At the time, MGM said it envisioned Mathis “leading the pre-opening effort and eventual operation of the facility.” Mathis began working for MGM in 2011 and was vice president of global gaming development for MGM Hospitality, a division of MGM Resorts, when he was tapped in January 2014 to lead MGM’s Springfield project.

He’s been reassigned to serve as MGM Resorts’ senior vice president of business development. Now the company is thanking Mathis for his work, and sending him to a job back in Las Vegas. Mike Mathis worked on the MGM Springfield project through local and state approval, ballot campaigns, construction, opening and - this past year and a half - operation.

The leader of MGM Springfield is out, less than a week after the casino posted its worst revenue numbers since opening.

Chris kelley at viejas casino pictures