East Windsor to discuss casino proposal

The Board of Selectmen from East Windsor will hold a meeting today where the possibility of building another casino will be discussed.

US.- A meeting will be held today in East Windsor in order to discuss a proposal that would allow a joint venture to build a US$300 million casino to compete with the upcoming MGM Springfield.

MMCT Venture, a partnership between Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Sun, is interested in a new casino in order to lessen the damages that are expected with the opening of the MGM casino in the next couple of years. Legislators decided during a meeting earlier this month that they would gather to vote for a new set up as well as new regulations to establish casino status in the state. As informed by The Journal Inquirer, a potential regulation would include the prohibition of building casinos within 2500 feet of schools or children’s center. The territory proposed by the joint venture wouldn’t work under this requirement, therefore the tribes would need to change or drop the proposal.

Whilst several conservative groups from the state have expressed their opposition to the plan, it is expected that a new casino would bring US$8.5 million extra in revenue for East Windsor, a town that is facing future budget problems. Moreover, MGM expressed its interest in building a new venue if the lawmakers decide to allow a new casino. An MGM Resorts International representative said that the Connecticut casino would not compete with them or the casino in Springfield, but it would be head to head with the New York market.