McGorty Opposes Casino Expansion in Connecticut
State Representative Ben McGorty (R-122) cast his vote in opposition to expansion of casino gambling throughout the state of Connecticut in an early-morning Friday vote of the House of Representatives.
The legislation would authorize the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribal nations to open negotiations to expand their gambling operations in interested communities in the state that might like to serve as a host site to a casino and hotel.
“Even if they opened a new casino tomorrow it probably wouldn’t save the number of jobs that the two tribes are predicting it would” said Rep. McGorty. “Smaller gambling locations anywhere in the state are unlikely to siphon off business for the large full-scale resort operation which will open in Springfield. Pardon the pun, but I am not prepared to gamble that this might create jobs when the stakes are so high for the people living in the area a new casino might be located. We are better served by focusing on sustainable and developing areas of our economy – not casino gambling – to solve our economic woes.”
The MGM Springfield casino, which is scheduled to open in neighboring Massachusetts in 2017, is expected to offer significant competition to the casino operations currently open in Connecticut at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. This has spurred the Connecticut tribes to seek the ability to develop a competing casino along the Interstate 91 corridor; however this bill only puts in motion a first step toward achieving the goal they have in mind.
The bill, which passed the House with a by a vote of 88-55, previously passed the State Senate and now heads to the desk of Governor Dannel P. Malloy for his signature. The governor has not indicated if he will sign the bill or not.
This session of the General Assembly adjourns at midnight, Wednesday, June 3rd.