Bipartisan, Bicameral Group Of Legislators Unveil The “Connecticut Jobs And Revenue Act”
Bill Would Authorize a Bridgeport Casino and Other Entertainment Facilities and Allow Sports Betting and Internet Gaming; Tribal Winds Moves Forward As Planned; Legislation Requires No Taxpayer Funding
(HARTFORD, CT) – A bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators from regions all over the state today announced their support for the “Connecticut Jobs and Revenue Act” (CJRA), a bill that enhances the partnership between the state and the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes, two of Connecticut’s largest employers and its single largest taxpayers.
“If the goal of the debate around gaming is to maximize the number of jobs and the amount of revenue for Connecticut, then this bill is the solution,” said State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague). “This legislation will deepen our partnership with two of our biggest employers and our large single taxpayers – the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes. With slot revenues showing a steady and gradual decline because of increased competition, we can’t afford to kick the can down the road. The time to act on this legislation is now.”
“This legislation is a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together, regardless of our party affiliation or the chamber we serve,” said State Representative Christopher Rosario (D-Bridgeport). “By investing in our cities, we can create new destinations that will spur additional development and create not only jobs but also vibrant urban centers. I’m proud to support this bill and urge other elected leaders to join the fight.”
“Bridgeport is a city that’s reinventing itself, with new restaurants and retail outlets that are already drawing people from outside the city,” said State Senator Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport). “When we pass this bill, we’re going to put that reinvention into high gear, with new jobs for residents and new taxes for municipal government. This is historic and has been a long-anticipated plan that now will be realized because of our joint efforts to place Connecticut back on the map, and I urge all of Connecticut’s elected leaders to support this bill.”
“Tribal Winds casino will help the economic needs of East Windsor and all of the neighboring towns and create much-needed jobs here. The East Windsor gaming entertainment facility will protect Connecticut jobs and Connecticut revenue,” said State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor). “I’m proud to join my colleagues to support this bill so our region can continue its economic growth and continue to partner with the tribes, who have been an excellent partner with our state.”
“When it comes to our state’s gaming industry, we’ve got two simple choices – do nothing and let the increase in competition continue to erode our state’s revenue, or take action and create new jobs and new sources of revenue,” said State Representative Christopher Davis (R-Ellington, East Windsor). “The proposal being presented today takes action and doesn’t pit Connecticut communities against each other. I’m proud to lend my support.”
“The tribes have been our partners for nearly three decades, and in that time they’ve sent more than $8 billion in revenue to the state,” said State Senator Paul Formica (R-East Lyme). “Passing this bill will only deepen that partnership, and will allow the Mohegan and the Mashantucket Pequot tribes to do what they’ve done so well – create jobs and new sources of revenue for the state. This bill has my support, and I urge other elected leaders to do the same.”
“Tribal Winds is going to be located in my district, so I know the hopes and expectations that come when a development like this is proposed in a community,” said State Representative Carol Hall (R-East Windsor). “I’m excited that the different delegations could come together and support a bill that’s going to bring this same enthusiasm to other communities around our state.”
“Jobs at our gaming facilities provide many people with the opportunity to support their families,” said State Representative Christine Conley (D – Groton, Ledyard). “By shoring up this industry and giving the Tribes a chance to compete in an increasingly competitive market, we not only protect our current jobs, but grow jobs across the state. I’m honored to lend my support and urge my colleagues to sign on to this legislation.”
“As the state representative whose district hosts both Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact that our two tribal casinos have on the region, both in the number of people they employ and through the tremendous amount they do to give back to our communities,” said State Representative Mike France (R-Ledyard, Montville & Preston). “Passing this bill will help preserve revenue to the state, create the potential for even more opportunities for good-paying jobs, while at the same time encouraging private investment in some of our urban centers.”
“Connecticut needs to stay competitive with our neighboring states, and this proposal helps put Connecticut back in the game to compete with surrounding states,” said State Representative Kevin Ryan (D-Bozrah, Montville, Norwich). “In addition, revenue from this bill will be invested in tourism and local municipal aid, which is one of the reasons why it is gaining support from both political parties and all around our state.”
“This bill is a surefire way to end the year-over-year declines we’ve been seeing in slot revenue and create some much-needed employment opportunities,” said State Representative Emmett Riley (D-Norwich). “I’m proud to lend my support because for many years the tribes have been not only major employers in our region, but also good neighbors.”
A CATALYST FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT
The CJRA would authorize an entertainment and gaming facility in Bridgeport, calling for a minimum investment by the two tribes of $100 million. Such an investment is expected to serve as an anchor for additional private development around the casino facility that would bring the total project development to $300 million. Construction of the facility and surrounding development will create at least 1,000 construction jobs and lead to 500 permanent jobs at the development. The facility is expected to generate $15 million annually for the state.
The legislation would also allow the tribes to take part in the development of entertainment zones in Hartford and two other cities that would be selected by the tribes, working in conjunction with state and local officials, which would create 100 jobs per facility.
STATE PROTECTIONS
The bill does not include any taxpayer money for the development and expansion of gaming. Under the legislation, the tribes will cover costs associated with any new regulations that are put into place as a result of the expansion.
The bill also places all of the financial risk on the tribes, meaning that if the court overturns any part of the law, the bill is rescinded.
FUNDING FOR TOURISM MARKETING, MUNICIPALITIES AND PROBLEM GAMING
Building on the standard set in the authorization of the Tribal Winds Casino in East Windsor, money from the new facility in Bridgeport will contribute 10 percent of their table game revenues to the state’s tourism marketing fund.
Under the proposal, additional mitigation dollars will be sent to Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven, Norwalk, Stratford, Trumbull and Waterbury. This money comes on top of existing mitigation dollars that were allocated in other legislation, which will provide an additional $750,000 to East Hartford, Ellington, Enfield, Norwalk, South Windsor and Windsor.
When you combine the CJRA with existing legislation, New Haven, Hartford and Waterbury will receive an additional $1.5 million.
The bill will also allocate additional funding to combat problem gaming.
ATTAINING PARITY WITH NEIGHBORING STATES
The bill would authorize the tribes to conduct sports wagering both at tribally owned facilities and through mobile applications and would also allow for internet gaming, similar to existing law in New Jersey. Sports wagering would be taxed at 8 percent while internet gaming would be taxed at 10 percent.
Sports wagering is projected to bring in $33 million over five years while internet gaming will bring in additional $87 million over the same time period.
The bill also brings Connecticut in line with Massachusetts and New York by authorizing liquor sales at the casino facilities until 4 a.m.
LOTTERY MODERNIZATION
The bill also authorizes the Connecticut Lottery to offer the online and application-based sale of lottery tickets and to offer iKeno as well. The implementation of iKeno is expected to generate $30 million for the state over five years.
The proposed bill, which does not have a bill number yet, is Legislative Commissioner’s Office (LCO) Number 11196. The LCO is attached.
