The state of Connecticut is looking to expand its gambling industry to keep up with competition in the region. Many in the state are worried about new casinos being built in Massachusetts and New York. Other nearby states like Pennsylvania and Maryland also have new casinos in the works.
The most notable threat is a project in Springfield, Massachusetts from MGM Resorts International, which will be spending $800 million on the new Las Vegas-style facility. Ground is going to be broken on that downtown project this month.
MGM plans to open the Springfield casino in 2017. The firm is also in the midst of building a casino near Washington D.C., and that one could open sometime in 2016.
However, public support for more gambling in Connecticut might not be in the cards. According to the Hartford Courant, a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday reported that 75 percent of voters oppose having more casinos in Connecticut.
Currently there is a proposal on the table to allow up to three new casinos that would be run jointly by the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes.
The New York Times reported that Foxwoods Resort Casino “is fighting for its life” with debts of $2.3 billion. Casinos in Connecticut are already struggling and not a single new gambling facility in Massachusetts, which legalized casinos in 2011, has opened yet.
Connecticut has also been hurt by Rhode Island authorizing table games in 2013.
The other casino in the state is Mohegan Sun, and it’s reportedly also in the hole.
Both tribes have pushed for casino licenses in Massachusetts in order to hedge their bets.
According to a rubinbrown.com study:
“The long-term growth prospects for tribal gaming revenues within collective Washington D.C. Region remain dim, as the New York and Connecticut tribes will face increased competition with new commercial casinos opening in New York and Massachusetts. However, with the legalization of commercial gaming, some tribes are continuing to expand through commercial gaming. The Mohegan Tribe has been the most active in their pursuit of a Massachusetts gaming license.”
