Connecticut May Back Off Alcohol Expansion At Casinos After Death

In the state of Connecticut, Governor M. Jodi Rell has proposed that casinos be allowed to serve alcohol around the clock. The increased sales would lead to more revenue for the state, which is badly needed.

The shock of a drunk driving related death on Saturday, however, has Rell reconsidering her stance and pulling her proposal off of the table. Elizabeth Durante, a pre-med major in Connecticut was killed on Saturday by a U.S. Navy sailor who was drinking under the influence of alcohol.

"This was an unconscionable tragedy and the heartbreaking loss of a very special young lady," said a spokesman for Rell, Christopher Cooper, on Sunday, "...it does give one pause to question the wisdom of extending liquor service hours at the casinos...no proposal or idea is worth the potential loss of innocent young lives. I believe we should rethink extending the hours of serving liquor at casinos."

Rell may not have a choice in deciding whether or not to can the proposal. There has already been heavy criticism of extending the alcohol sales, and on Sunday that opposition grew stronger.

Currently casinos are required to shut down liquor sales at 1:00 AM during the week, and 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday. Republican lawmakers, with the backing of Rell, decided that the casino should be able to serve liquor around the clock to help increase the amount of gambling that was taking place.

March 8, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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