Legislation is in the works for new, smaller gambling facilities near Connecticut's borders.
A coalition of state legislators, the state's two federally-recognized Indian tribes, and union leaders are backing a bill that would allow up to three new, smaller casinos to help combat gambling competition in neighboring states.
In a packed press conference in the state capitol's old judiciary room, Senate majority leader Bob Duff said that when the MGM casino in Springfield, Massachusetts is up and running, sometime in 2017, 80 percent of their customers will come from Connecticut, people who previously would have gone to Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods. "Massachusetts has declared economic war on us and we are going to fight back," said Duff.
Connecticut's two Casinos have been in a slow decline in recent years as gaming facilities have sprung up in Rhode Island and in New York state. For State Senator Cathy Osten, whose district includes Foxwoods, it's all about saving good casino jobs. "We will not stand aside and let any other state, New York, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island, take jobs away from Connecticut."
Under the proposal, the casinos would be run jointly by the two Native American tribes that currently run the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos, but would be much smaller -- no hotels or concert venues, only slots and tables games.
If the legislation passes, the governor would have to negotiate a new compact with the tribes to determine the state's share of the new casino revenue.
Exactly where these casinos would be built has yet to be decided, but it's expected that at least one casino would be constructed somewhere between Hartford and Springfield, and be completed before Springfield's MGM casino.
Sen. Bob Duff on casino competition in Massachusetts: "Massachusetts has declared economic war on our state." pic.twitter.com/oCVI6MMxIt
— Max Reiss (@MaxReiss) March 10, 2015
A casino in Springfield will target Hartford with bus service
— Matt (@SturdevantNews) March 10, 2015
"Just as it's important to protect any other industry, we have to protect this industry," says Sen. Martin Looney. pic.twitter.com/nJE2aEMDu1
— Max Reiss (@MaxReiss) March 10, 2015
State Sen. Cathy Osten says this bill to allow a new casino is about jobs.
— Matt (@SturdevantNews) March 10, 2015
State Representative Stephen Dargan, who is co-chairman of the legislature's Public Safety and Security Committee, said he expects to sign off on a similar proposal to allow new, smaller gambling facilities near the Massachusetts and New York borders.
The legislature's Public Safety and Security will hold a public hearing on the proposal March 17.
Tucker Ives and Heather Brandon contributed to this report, which includes information from The Associated Press.
