Extended Casino Alcohol Sales Bill Halted In Connecticut

The state of Connecticut had been looking for a way to help a budget deficit. They thought they had found their answer when lawmakers agreed to discuss changing current laws to allow for twenty four hour alcohol sales at casinos in the state.

That proposal was supposed to help financially by bringing the state an estimated $5 million more a year. The plan has now been scrapped, however, at least for this session, after a college student was killed back in the first week of March.

Governor M. Jodi Rell almost immediately pulled the plug on the alcohol expansion after hearing of the students death. At the time, it appeared that Rell was going to re-evaluate whether or not to move forward with the plan.

A couple of weeks later, and lawmakers and tribal officials are now unified in the idea that the Bill would not move forward in this legislative session. Whether or not it will be taken up in the future has not yet been determined.

It is not the Mohegan Tribe that started the talk about expanding the alcohol sale hours. Members of the tribe claim they were approached by lawmakers about the deal, and that they supported it.

While Mohegan has pulled back their efforts, Foxwoods is maintaining their position on the issue. They feel that the two casinos in the state are heavily regulated, and are prepared to handle expanded drinking hours.

March 22, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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