Cathy Osten

Osten Welcomes Senate Passage of Casino Gaming in Connecticut

Early this morning, state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) welcomed state Senate passage of Senate Bill 957, An Act Concerning the Regulation of Gaming and the Authorization of a Casino Gaming Facility in the State.

The bill passed on a bipartisan 24-12 Senate vote around 12:30 a.m. today and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“From the very beginning, all of the talk and planning around another gaming facility in Connecticut has, for me, been about protecting jobs in Connecticut. That’s all,” said Sen. Osten, who was one of the early and most vocal proponents of the bill. “There are 140 towns in this state that send residents to southeastern Connecticut every day to work at one of the two casinos there. This is a Connecticut jobs bill, one that protects jobs for middle-class workers, our neighbors, our friends and our family. The bill we passed this evening helps protect those jobs, and I am proud to stand with Connecticut workers willingly.”

Senate Bill 957 authorizes the operation of one off-reservation casino gaming facility in East Windsor to be operated by MMCT (the Mashantucket Pequot tribe and the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut) once certain conditions are met. In addition to the retention of 9,300 existing jobs, the East Windsor casino is expected to create 1,700 construction jobs, and 1,700 casino facility operation jobs—1,275 of which will be permanent, full time positions—and generate tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue for the State of Connecticut.

Under the legislation, there would be a 25 percent tax on slot revenues and a 25 percent tax on table games; 15 percent of the tax on table games would be dedicated to Connecticut’s statewide tourism marketing account, while 10 percent would be returned to the state’s general fund. Additionally, MMCT would establish a grant fund in the amount of $4.5 million which would be distributed to surrounding communities, including $750,000 each to Hartford and East Hartford because of their status as distressed municipalities. The tribes have also made a tacit agreement to give preference to the local community, Hartford and East Hartford when hiring employees.

The tribes have also made a tacit agreement to give preference to the local community, Hartford and East Hartford when hiring employees.