It was announced that a bill that would legalize the installation of video slots at some of Connecticut’s off-track betting venues will be discussed by the Public Safety and Security Committee in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford tomorrow, February 5.
The bill was proposed by Rep. Peggy Sayers and if approved, it will authorize the placement of slots at the OTB gambling venues that are located within about 5 miles of I-91 and I-95.
However, such regulation cannot be implemented without asking Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot about their opinion first. The tribes manage Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, respectively, and they have exclusively been allowed by the state to operate slot machines in Connecticut.
Ms Sayers’ legislation proposal aims at preventing loss of turnover that might be caused by the increasing number of gambling facilities in the nearby states. As previously reported, a casino venue will be built in Springfield, Massachusetts. The property will be located near the state’s southern border with Connecticut and will probably pose the biggest threat to the latter state’s gambling venues.
Casinos in Connecticut are required to pay 25% of the revenue generated from slot machines to the state.
Sportech Venues, a company based in New Haven, which operates Connecticut’s 15 OTB venues, is also particularly concerned about the potential turn of events.
Back in 2013, Ms Sayers chaired a task force, which was given the responsibility to discuss the opportunity for the placement of slot machines at three of the largest OTB facilities within the territory of Connecticut – Sports Haven in New Haven, Bradley Teletheater in Windsor Locks, and Shoreline Star in Bridgeport. Ms Sayers’ bill would allow the installation of such machines not only in these venues, but also in some of the smaller ones.
The Copperwood Grill in New London will be one of the places where slots might be placed, provided that the bill passes. Yet, Ted Taylor, president of Sportech Venues, said that the city is not the best place for such machines.
Mr. Taylor said that his company has spent approximately $10 million on the facilities it operates in Connecticut. It also plans to invest the same amount this year, primarily in its Stamford project.
Currently, a total of 365 people from the state work for Sportech Venues.
Mr. Taylor told local media that his company will wait patiently until the state and the tribes determine the future of the local gambling industry. Yet, they will certainly protect their interests.
