STAMFORD — Ted Taylor settled onto an upholstered leather bench in an unfinished booth at the new Bobby Valentine’s restaurant and sports bar, the Connecticut Gold Coast’s introduction to a plusher version of what’s been a shrinking, down-market gambling niche — off-tracking betting. His company, Sportech, is investing in a gambling market under pressure from increased competition both in and outside the state.
gambling
Posted inPolitics
Golden Hill Paugussetts say they will try for recognition again
WASHINGTON — The Golden Hill Paugussett tribe of Trumbull is preparing to seek federal recognition again, a classification that would bring the tribe special federal help and the right to open a casino and press land claims.
Posted inJustice, Money
Jepsen: Fantasy sports bill could jeopardize slots revenue
Attorney General George Jepsen warned legislators in a formal legal opinion Monday that passage of legislation regulating daily fantasy sports contests could jeopardize Connecticut’s revenue-sharing agreement with the tribal casinos.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT closer to offering keno
The state of Connecticut moved closer this week toward offering keno gaming at restaurants, bars and convenience stores this winter. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration announced it has reached an agreement with the two Indian tribes that run casinos in southeastern Connecticut to share 25 percent of the keno proceeds.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Tribes set to pitch legislature on new casino in ’16
Connecticut’s two tribal casinos staged a ceremony Thursday marking the start of a formal search for a community willing to accept a new gambling hall to maintain market share against competition coming to Massachusetts.
Posted inMoney, Politics
A symbolic victory for casino expansion
The state Senate approved the consolation prize late Wednesday for those hoping to see a new casino authorized to combat growing competition from gambling facilities in neighboring states — particularly one to open in Springfield in 2017. The bill, which now heads to the House of Representatives, instead establishes a search process for a potential host community for a new casino — and requires the legislature to revisit the matter one year from now.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Some keen, others not so, on Connecticut Keno proposal
There is no small amount of disagreement over whether Connecticut should allow the game of chance Keno to be offered by the Connecticut Lottery Corporation in restaurants, bars, and convenience stores. There were dozens of witnesses addressing the issue (H.B. 7054) at a recent hearing, calling the idea everything from a good source of money for education to a regressive and harmful game that preys on low-income residents. Here are some examples.
Posted inNews
Old questions, new concerns on keno
A legislative hearing on a renewed proposal to legalize keno raised old concerns Wednesday about expanding gambling in restaurants, bars and convenience stores and new ones about profit-sharing and technology.
Posted inMoney
Keno faces big test at legislative hearing Wednesday
Connecticut’s on-again-off-again flirtation with keno could get more serious Wednesday after lawmakers conduct a public hearing on the controversial, lottery-style electronic game.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT tribes rally to Malloy’s defense against Oklahoma tribal lenders
The leaders of Connecticut’s federally recognized Indian tribes rallied Monday to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s defense, decrying the practice of an Oklahoma tribe and its business associates to make unlicensed, short-term loans here at astronomical rates.
Posted inPolitics
Quinnipiac poll: Pot does better than Malloy, casinos
A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday shows that Connecticut has grown comfortable with the existing casino industry, but that proponents of expansion face a significant sales job in the months ahead.
Posted inPolitics
Twenty years later, Connecticut has a new view of casinos
Questions about morality and the societal impact of expanded gambling are fading, if not gone. Competition in surrounding states, notably a planned MGM casino-resort in Springfield, has distilled the issue of a new casino in Connecticut to one overriding concern: Keeping jobs.
Posted inPolitics
Legislators to outline joint Pequot-Mohegan casino pitch
The Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegans, historic rivals and casino competitors, are to be introduced Tuesday as potential partners in at least one new casino in Connecticut, sources said Monday night.
Posted inPolitics
Pequots, Mohegans lobby together for expanded gambling
Connecticut’s two tribal casinos are trying to gauge support at the General Assembly for an expansion of gambling to stem what a new study shows is the rapid loss of customers to out-of-state competition. Expansion possibilities include a new casino north of Hartford or slots at OTB parlors.
Posted inMoney, Politics
So far, few bet on adding gaming sites
Since Mohegan tribal leaders declared their interest six weeks ago in offering casino games at a new site, state officials responses have ranged from negative to lukewarm. But if the concept is to get even a public hearing this spring, someone at the Capitol is going to have to step up and champion the issue, according to the leader of the legislative panel with jurisdiction over gaming issues.
