Connecticut Governor dismisses request for temporary tribal online gaming
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has dismissed a request for the state’s two tribal casinos to offer online gaming temporarily, while its casinos remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The request was made by Chairman of the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG), Mark Nickerson, which represents 22 municipal members in the region.
The executive order issue was for the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to offer online gambling during the COVID-19 outbreak, which has seen the closure of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos, which has led to big losses.
Nickerson originally wrote: “It is clear we are in uncharted territory with this pandemic our state and our nation are facing.
“Many millions of people and businesses are suffering and we do not know when this health crisis will end. In our region, two of our largest employers, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Casinos, have shut down to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“This revenue source will help them to immediately offset the losses they are facing. It will help get people back to work more quickly when the pandemic ends.
However, in Governor Lamont’s reply, he dismissed the idea, noting steps had been taken to alleviate the financial distress of tribes by deferring their slot contributions.
Lamont added: “Authorizing online gaming and enabling consumers to more easily access gambling is a significant policy decision that has not yet been embraced or acted upon by our legislature.
“Doing so at a time when so many Connecticut residents are in financial distress would be a particularly significant policy decision to make without legislative approval.”
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