MGM Comes Up A Winner

MGM will be named Massachusetts' first casino operator but won't have to immediately pay millions of dollars in state fees and other payments that come due under law.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission agreed in principle on Wednesday to delay the upcoming payments until a decision by the state's highest court whether to allow a voter referendum that could repeal the state's casino law on the November ballot. The agreement follows a two-day review of the casino's $800 million project for downtown Springfield.

The decision comes after MGM officials late Wednesday proposed new language to stave off the payments, including an $85 million state licensing fee.

MGM did not object to other terms and conditions the commission proposed for the license, which will be voted in its final form Friday.