Third Casino In Connecticut
Connecticut is the third-smallest state in terms of land area, and when it comes to potential suitors for its third casino, its options are also very small. That’s because the state will have a hard time justifying taking bids from other gaming entities other than the two tribes due to their compacts.
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As one of only two towns remaining to be chosen as a site for a third casino in Connecticut, East Windsor is hoping they will be the chosen one.
When a casino is built from scratch, it brings about a great deal of revenue to an area. A casino project is usually a massive scale, meaning it will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to create. Such projects brings jobs to the chosen area as well as the potential for increased revenues via tourism. For most people, a gaming venue coming to the local area is a win/win. East Windsor is one of just two areas in the running to be the site of a third casino for the state of Connecticut and the city hopes they will be the winner.
Pick Me! Pick Me!
Officials of East Windsor are open to the potential that a new casino venue can bring. Officials know that a new casino in the state will be a big deal and there will be job as well as revenue opportunity. First Selectman of East Windsor, Bob Maynard, stated that the area is open to tax revenue and jobs. He considers the casino to be more of an entertainment facility instead of a casino.
Casino employees of the two existing casinos in Connecticut rally this week in order to gain support for third casino plan. The Mohegan’s and the Mashantucket Pequot’s already operate one gaming venue each within the state of Connecticut on tribal lands. EAST WINDSOR - The Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes are proposing a third casino to the state of Connecticut and East Windsor is listed as a potential destination. HARTFORD, CT — A third casino in Connecticut could be open in 18 to 24 months now that the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs has officially signed off on amendments to Indian gaming.
The site that is currently being considered in East Windsor is where the Showcase Cinema is, a now vacant movie theater. There is also a vacant retail store being considered that was once home to Walmart. A new gaming venue would need to be strategically placed to attract customers as well as in an area large enough to house the facility as well as parking and all the extras that go along with the plans.
The site is actually close to Interstate 91 and is close as it can be to the heart of East Windsor. Maynard stated that the town prides themselves on the rural charm of the area but they also know the value of the gaming venue’s potential. Kevin “Red Eagle” Brown is the Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council, a group behind the casino proposal, who said that they are hearing many positives about Windsor Locks too, the second area being considered.
Recognition
According to Brown, the towns are now recognizing what they can receive from a gaming venue being placed in their area. The Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot have been working together to find a spot for the casino for more than a year now. It has been two years since the tribes have been trying to create a third casino in the state. The tribes would be running the new venue together outside of reservation lands as a commercial venture.
Brown stated that people are realizing that tax dollars, jobs, improvements to services and more in the local community will take place if the venue is placed in their town. There are many good things to come and both communities want to be a part of it.
Next week, the chairmen of both tribes will be meeting with residents of East Windsor in a town hall setting to discuss any questions the townspeople may have about the casino development. According to Maynard, he believes that the East Windsor elected leaders are in favor of a gaming venue and that land is ready to be developed with little intervention by the local government. The property has to be zoned correctly and if so, a business can build as it sees fit.
The plans still have a way to go and the tribes have seen contention from several groups, including MGM Resorts. MGM feels that the tribes are not being open with the process of selection as they should be. Though the tribes say that there is nothing to report.
Casino employees of the two existing casinos in Connecticut rally this week in order to gain support for third casino plan.
The Mohegan’s and the Mashantucket Pequot’s already operate one gaming venue each within the state of Connecticut on tribal lands. The two groups came together some time ago in efforts to create a third casino in the state, this time not on tribal lands. The new venue would be located in East Windsor, yet the tribes cannot seem to garner any support for their plan. Reportedly, this week, employees of both tribal operated casinos rallied at the state capitol in order to gain support.
State Capitol Rally
Employees associated with the two gaming venues of Connecticut took to the state capitol on Wednesday to rally in support of the plan to create a new casino in East Windsor, off tribal lands. The two federally recognized tribes of the state would be working together to operate the venue and would use the space as a way to combat the incoming competition from MGM Springfield, a gaming venue in the works in Massachusetts. MGM Resorts is spending $950 million to create the integrated resort.
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Officials of both tribes have tried to point out that the MGM facility will hit the casino industry hard once the gaming venue is open. The tribes feel that as many as 9,000 employees or more could lose their job once the MGM Springfield casino opens. The state has until late 2018 until the venue will open.
Both tribes have urged the Legislature of the state to provide the necessary approvals for their project so they can begin work and see the new venue come to fruition by the time the MGM Springfield resort opens or at least a short time after. The East Windsor location will reportedly keep jobs in the state as well as much-needed revenues.
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More about East Windsor
The community of East Windsor is located just twenty minutes from Springfield. The new casino by the tribes would cost about $300 million to create and would be located on the site of the former Showcase Cinema. Once operational, the tribes have stated that the gaming venue will provide 25% of their slot revenues to the state. The same share is currently paid by each tribe and their respective gaming venue.
When it comes to the matter of the casino, there are several bills on the table for legislators to consider. One bill would allow the project to continue in East Windsor and another would start the process all over again by allowing outside operators to vie for licensing. A third measure would see the construction of a tribal casino in the northern region of the state and a commercial option in the southwestern region.
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If the measure that calls for a bids to reopened, the tribes could lose their right to operate a joint venture. A new operator could win the licensing, such as MGM Resorts International, the company behind the new Massachusetts venue. They have shown interest in operating within the state.
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Legislators basically have until June 7th to make a decision before the current legislative session ends. Right now, according to Joe Aresimowicz, the House Speaker, the tribes have about a 50/50 chance of holding on to their right to the third casino of the state.
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Only time will tell who will be able to bring a third venue to Connecticut or if a new gaming venue will ever come to fruition. One would imagine some type of decision will come before the June deadline.