Gaming bill could be resubmitted in Connecticut
A Connecticut Senator is preparing to resubmit a bill that would solve a series of issues around gaming in the state.
US.- Connecticut Senator Cathy Osten may resubmit a gaming bill in the upcoming weeks. The legislation would solve gaming issues that have been around local lawmakers for years without ever reaching a final solution.
According to The Day, Osten said on Monday that she will meet this week with colleagues to discuss the Connecticut Jobs and Revenue Act. This legislative piece urges the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan to invest in a Bridgeport facility and grants them sports betting and online gaming rights.
Osten revealed that she has added a provision that would increase revenue for the local municipalities. “I’d like it all in one bill; that’s my goal,” she said. “Eastern Connecticut has always gotten the jobs (generated by the casinos) but not enough of the revenue. My concern is that it doesn’t get its fair share.”
The state Senator wants to increase the amount of gaming revenue distributed to cities and towns to around US$51.5 million. She believes that this fund can be restored to better levels through a third casino, part of a joint venture between the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes. Additional revenue would come from sports betting.
Connecticut casinos continue bad trend
The two casinos in Connecticut continue to struggle, as they once again reported a double-digit revenue decline. This time, the slots revenue fell 10% in December, putting a stop to a short positive trend in Connecticut.
Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun had achieved good performances in October and November, but they came after 15 months os straight losses. With December results in, Connecticut facilities reported 10 months of bad results in 2019.
Foxwoods registered US$33.6 million in slots revenue – or a 10.1% decline – against the US$37 million that it posted in December 2018. Mohegan Sun’s figure was slightly worse as it generated US$43.9 million but an 11.8% decline over the US$49.8 million from 2018.
