More Connecticut counties interested in casinos

Hartford is one of the Connecticut counties that also revealed its interest in opening a casino.

US.- East Hartford could be considered as an option to develop the third casino in Connecticut. This week the state’s Senate approved a gaming bill to allow further expansion of the industry. The new casino would be operated by a joint venture of the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes (MMCT), who have seemingly chosen East Windsor as the host community.

However, East Hartford Mayor Marcia Leclerc has proposed a second review of her town’s casino project. The MMCT had already evaluated East Hartford as a potential market, although the gaming operators decided to move forwards with its plans in East Windsor. Now the town is urging a second chance, as the new casino could enhance the local business and economic developments.

As the town’s administration revealed, the Connecticut’s budget proposal for East Hartford was US$7.6 million shorter than expected, which is why the casino is relevant to boost the tourism and gaming revenues.

“At first, I accepted that we hadn’t won the site,” commented the mayor to the Hartford Courant. “But then, the governor’s proposed budget came out, and it negatively affects my community. East Hartford has one of the highest mill rates outside of a city but still with an urban setting. We cannot continue to take economic hits.”