The Connecticut Public Safety and Security Committee voted in favor of a bill that would allow the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe to establish as many as three new casinos on the territory of the state and to operate those together.
Connecticut has not seen such a considerable expansion of its gambling industry since its two federally recognized tribes launched their venues back in the 1990s.
As it seems, legislators are advancing Senate Bill 1090 quite quickly, as only two days ago a public hearing was held at which the proposal was discussed.
Before casting their final vote, members of the committee discussed and voted an amendment that would have prevented the state from helping its two tribes in the construction and the management of the new venues.
However, the amendment, which was proposed by Rep. Craig A. Miner (R-Litchfield), was rejected by committee members.
It was ten days ago when Senate Democratic leaders and officials from the two tribes presented their plan for an expansion of the state’s gambling industry to the Senate. They pointed out that this would certainly help Connecticut cope with the competition from neighboring states.
A total of 15 committee members voted in favor of the bill and 8 expressed their disapproval. The fact that the proposal has both proponents and opponents suggests that it will be subjected to even wider discussions when it is presented to the state Legislature.
If the bill is passed into law, the Mohegans and the Pequots will be allowed to build and operate three smaller gambling venues across the state. Yet, their projects will have to get the nod from residents of the cities and towns where the casinos are to be located. That is, under Senate Bill 1090, host communities would be required to hold public hearings on a potential proposal for the construction of a gambling venue.
Local legislatures will need to vote on casinos, but no citywide or townwide vote will need to be conducted.
At present, the Mohegans manage the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, and the Pequots own the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket. Annually, they contribute 25% of their slot machine revenues to the state, in order to be permitted to operate their venues. If the new proposal comes into effect, both tribes will need to provide additional funds from any new casino that opens doors on the territory of the state.
