by Steve Norton
CEO, Norton Management

As a Casino Rises in Springfield, Legislators in Hartford Argue Over Gambling Expansion - Hartford Courant

There might be a better solution than approving a Tribal casino in East Windsor, that is certain to prompt law suits from MGM; protecting their new casino in Springfield, MA. Why not convince the Tribes, that they would save many more jobs, and produce far more revenue and potential taxes, if they shifted their target to the New York border. MGM Springfield will have some impact on Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, but the MA casino is only 15 minutes further from Hartford, than Mohegan Sun and only a few minutes further to Foxwoods.

And an East Windsor casino will also take business from the existing Tribal casinos; that have far more gaming, entertainment, golf and other attractions than MGM. A casino closer to Westchester, and several other NY counties; would far exceed the revenues, jobs and taxes, of an East Windsor limited casino. And even though MGM had indicated an interest in a Western CT location, they might not contest, by multiple law suits; if their potential new competition was removed from the Hartford market. Whether in East Windsor or the Western border of NY, a Tribal casino will still need to have land placed "In Trust", by the Federal Government. And looking at the Wampanoag Tribes delays in Taunton, MA; the process has already taken over a year, fighting local law suits; in spite of already having a Compact with the State of Massachusetts.

And another advantage of a Western CT. location, is that the spending to support this resort casino will come from New Yorkers, rather than CT residents. And this casino could be located near I-84, I-95 or the Merritt Parkway; where the closest competing casino is at the Yonkers Racetrack, on very overcrowded highways heading to Manhattan. There are over a million affluent New Yorkers; that would be more convenient to one the these border locations, than any existing or proposed NY casino.

The CT Tribes have suffered a 40 percent drop in slot win; from what I call "the Atlantic City syndrome", as neighboring states have approved or expanded gaming; cutting into visits and revenue at two of Americas premier destination resorts.