Operators propose ban of East Windsor casino

Connecticut House passed a casino project in East Windsor, but a new proposal could eliminate it.

US.- Although the casino project in the Connecticut’s city of East Windsor has not been completely approved by the state’s authorities, the proposal is already threatening gaming operators, who are now lobbying for the elimination of the project. As revealed this week, a new bill was introduced to the Congress “bidding calls for scrapping plans for a casino in East Windsor.”

Connecticut legislators approved gaming expansion in the state, as economy experts were concerned about the opening of neighbouring MGM Springfield casino. With the latest approval, local native tribes Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan are close to gaining permission to operate a new gaming venue in East Windsor, but the project must first be signed-off by the governor.

The new bill proposes to open a bidding process for private companies, which will have to “include a workforce of at least 2,000 and an agreement to give the state at least 25 per cent of gross gaming revenues from all games, plus at least 10 per cent from slot machines.” Companies would also have to pay US$50 million licencing fee to the state.

“If we’re going to have a legitimate competitive process, we would have to do that without the East Windsor casino in play because we are asking as part of the process a US$50 million licensing fee,” Rep. Joe Verrengia said. “We can’t go out to market and ask for US$50 million when what’s out there right now is zero.”