Connecticut state Senate Majority Leader BoB Duff announced on Monday that a proposal to legalize slot machines outside tribal casinos has been denied.
“While this will be a difficult budget season, Connecticut’s economy continues to recover,” Duff said. “The unemployment rate is down, and we continue to grow jobs. Former Speaker [Jim] Amann’s idea of putting slot machines at off-track betting sites near the Massachusetts border is not the answer, and any expansion of gaming needs to be done in consultation with the tribes.”
Prior to Duff’s announcement, two spokesperson from two Indian casinos-Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes-told The Hartford Courant that Amann’s proposal would violate their revenue-sharing compacts with the state.
Under a 25-year-old deal crafted by ex-Gov. Lowell Weicker, Jr., the tribes have the exclusive right to operate slot machines in Connecticut. In return, the casinos have agreed to pay 25% of their slot revenues to the state.
Connecticut’s tax revenue from casinos has decreased in recent years as gambling opportunities expand in other states—Massachusetts and New York will have new casinos in the next few years. To address this new competition, former House Speaker James Amann and some legislators pushed for a plan to allow slot machines at the off-track betting parlors at the Bradley Teletheatre in Windsor Locks, Sports Haven in New Haven, and Shoreline Star in Bridgeport.
Amann said that he respects Duff’s decision but the battle is not over, and he will continue conversations about the bill because the stakes are high.
“It’s premature at this point. There’s a lot of interest in the bill. It’s a win, win, win for everybody. I respect the senator’s decision as a leader, but I think he’s wrong not to look further into it. In Massachusetts, they want to clean our clock,” Amann said.
State Rep. David Alexander agreed with Amann on the need for urgency, saying that residents of Enfield and surrounding towns will simply head north on Interstate 91 as soon as the new MGM Resorts casino opens in Springfield while State Rep. Peggy Sayers has been pushing to help the Bradley Teletheater in her hometown and said Connecticut needs to act now.
“We need to be pro-active and get this before the Boston and Springfield casinos are built,” Sayers said.
