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MGM Springfield opening stadium gaming during one-year anniversary celebration

MGM has introduced a new way to gamble in Springfield.

The casino is celebrating its one-year anniversary since opening in Western Massachusetts and unveiling another offering on the casino floor this weekend: stadium gaming.

Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, will spin the first ball on the roulette table Saturday afternoon.

24 terminals offer four games - blackjack, roulette and two games of baccarat - on computer screens with live dealers running the games. Guests can choose to play a single game or all four simultaneously.

“Anything you can do from a live table you can do here,” said Robert Westerfield, vice president of gaming operations at MGM Springfield.

The games run quicker than at a traditional baccarat or blackjack game, as the computer system handles bets and payouts. Additionally, the stadium gaming setup can handle more games at once. If all 24 terminals were occupied by guests playing four games at once, 96 games would be played.

“You get more action in,” Westerfield said, comparing the energy of stadium gaming to a craps table.

This allows MGM Springfield “to be a lot more creative with our limit,” Westerfield said.

MGM Springfield will offer stadium games in the $5, $10 price range.

Stadium gaming is located in a high-traffic area of the casino floor, next to the cashier’s station.