Foxwoods and the Mohegan Sun have petitioned the Connecticut Legislature to extend “last call” for those actively playing on the casino floor until 4 a.m.—to make them more competitive with casinos in nearby states, like the MGM Springfield, that will open next month. Current law requires that alcohol stop being served at 2 a.m.
Bay State regulators gave the MGM Springfield the later alcohol serving last month.
In its petition to the state legislature Mohegan Tribal spokesman Chuck Bunnell argued “We believe with New York, New Jersey and now Massachusetts having that option, Connecticut casinos are at a disadvantage.”
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe added “This is about remaining competitive and well-positioned in a continually changing gaming market, which is also essential for preserving slot revenue to the state and thousands of jobs in the region. Now that MGM has extended their hours in Massachusetts, it only makes sense for us at a minimum to do the same, if not implement even longer service hours, and do so responsibly.”
Opponents argue that serving alcohol later will mean more drunken drivers late at night into the early morning commute.
