Possible new casino is closer

Connecticut is assessing the approval of a new casino project outside of native tribes’ lands.

US.- Joe Aresimowicz, Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, confirmed to the local press that legislators are closer to a final approval of a third casino in the state, outside native American lands. The upgraded regulation would spread gaming services statewide and increase the tribes’ exclusive rights to operate casino facilities.

Gaming expansion in Connecticut would boost the state’s position in the current competition against MGM Springfield casino in Massachusetts. Authorities expect that further regulations on casino industry would help Connecticut to maintain and increase its revenues when the MGM deluxe venue opens in 2019.

At the beginning of yesterday’s House session, Aresimowicz commented that the possibility of approving a new casino has grown during the latest discussions and the odds are “closer to 65-35,” as reported by My Record Journal. The government is concerned about the potential impact on Connecticut’s job positions when the neighbour MGM casino opens its doors.

“We need to preserve those jobs, we need to preserve that funding, and we need to do it in a strategic way,” the Speaker stated. The partnership of the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes (MMCT) that operates local casinos generates over US$260 million for the state, under current tax regulations. The MMCT has published a video that shows the allegedly intentions of MGM.

Furthermore, a key legislative committee on Monday approved the MMCT’s proposal on new casino and moved towards being authorised before MGM’s idea for a venue in Bridgeport.