Las Vegas-based casino operator MGM Resorts International scored a major victory in Connecticut after the state House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill that would allow casino operators to compete in an open bidding process, The Hartford Courant reported.
Passing the measure didn’t come as easy as some of proponents expected. For two straight days, lawmakers locked horns on whether the measure would violate its standing agreement with the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes.
The tribes’ current deal gives them the exclusive right to operate gaming machines in Connecticut in exchange for a portion of their slot machine revenues.
In the end, however, the House decided to refer the bill to the Senate in a narrow 77-73 vote.
“This is a jobs bill,” Democrat Rep. Steven Stafstrom said, according to the news outlet. “This is an economic development bill. This is a tax bill.”
Under the proposed measure, casino operators wanting to open a brick-and-mortar facility in Connecticut would need to put a total investment of $500 million and create at least 2,000 jobs.
The measure also requires casino operators to pay an application fee of $5 million in order to ensure that they are serious about their investment. The fee may be refunded to the losing bidders.
Despite passing the measure, it is still too soon to tell whether Bridgeport will have its own casino. First, the measure doesn’t authorize the opening of a new casino. A separate measure is needed to be legislated in order to make that happen.
Lastly, the measure still needs the concurrence of the state Senate, where political analysts believe that the proposal has only a small chance of passing.
The measure will need at least 19 votes to ensure that it passes the senate. So far, the proponents are believed to be at least four supporters shy of that mark.
MGM suggested it would rather savor the victory in the House of Representatives than worry about the obstacles ahead.
“As a result of the bi-partisan support of members of Connecticut’s House of Representatives, the state is one step closer to adopting a best-in-class process for possible selection of a commercial casino operator,” MGM senior VP Uri Clinton said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing this discussion and supporting the legislation as it continues to move through the legislative process.”
