SHARE

House Leaders Promise Vote On Proposed Bridgeport Casino

Legislation that could bring a new casino to Bridgeport and the third casino to Connecticut may get a vote this week, officials said on Friday.

An artist's rendering of the MGM Bridgeport Resort Casino and  Entertainment under consideration.

An artist's rendering of the MGM Bridgeport Resort Casino and Entertainment under consideration.

Photo Credit: Provided

"We have a couple of constituency groups really fighting for their constituents and we may have more discussion," said House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, during a press conference.

MGM Grand announced plans for a $700 million seaside resort in Bridgeport and a job training center in New Haven, bringing an estimated 2,000 jobs.

A Bridgeport casino is opposed by the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Indians, who own the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casino resorts. The tribes have legislative approval to build a small casino in East Windsor to compete with an MGM Grand casino set to open in Springfield, Mass. this summer.

The East Windsor casino is stalled over a lack of federal approval for changes in the compacts between the state and tribes that govern the 25 percent split in slot revenue and grant the tribes the exclusive right to offering gambling on their reservations.

According to this article in the Connecticut Post, Bridgeport lawmakers have threatened to hold up bills in the House if the casino bill is not put up for a vote.

to follow Daily Voice Ridgefield and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE