The potential sites for Connecticut’s third casino have narrowed to only two – East Windsor and East Hartford, local media reported.
Windsor Locks, Enfield, and Hartford were the other three possible candidates. However, officials for the three towns eventually decided against submitting proposals for the establishment of a casino, which is to be operated jointly by the state’s two federally recognized tribes – The Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequots.
The two tribes issued a request for proposals on October 1. Interested parties will be able to file their proposals up to November 6. The Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequots promised that they will review all applications and will announce their final decision on which one of the applicants will be chosen to host the new gambling venue by December 15.
The two tribes want to build a new casino in the northern part of the state in a bid to blunt competition from MGM Springfield, an $800-million casino resort, which is slated to open doors in September 2018. The Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequots are planning to launch their venue some time earlier.
The tribes have previously pointed out that they want to do their best in order to keep casino revenue within the state’s borders and to prevent employees at the two existing gambling facilities from losing their jobs because of the competition from neighboring states.
Commenting on the request for proposals, Denise Menard, First Selectman of East Windsor, said that they are currently preparing two applications for potential sites for the future casino and are to submit those on Friday. The first one would propose the site of a Big Y and Walmart complex. The other application involves a private developer-owned portion of land not far from the aforementioned site.
As for the East Hartford bid, Anthony Ravosa Jr., a former Springfield City Councilor, and his development firm is working together with the town on the casino proposal. Mr. Ravosa said that the town is likely to submit their application on Wednesday.
According to the initial plan announced by his company, the construction of the future casino would cost $138 million and once completed, it would feature between 1,000 and 2,000 slot machines, numerous food and beverage options, and 1,200 parking spots.
However, Pearce Real Estate, the company, which is to review the casino proposals, called for a much more ambitious project on its website. It seems that the two tribes are targeting the installation of more than 2,000 slot machines at the new venue.
Once the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan tribes choose the site for the casino, the Connecticut Legislature will need to approve the establishment of the said facility.
