The Board of Selectmen of Windsor Locks, Connecticut last week rejected by a 2-1 vote a proposal to build a casino at Bradley International Airport, which is near the border between the state and Massachusetts.
The airport proposed three possible locations on the airport for a casino, but to no avail. The idea was to provide a location for a satellite casino that would be operated by the state’s two gaming tribes to try intercept some gaming money before it crosses the state line to the MGM Springfield, twenty miles away.
A few weeks ago the East Hartford town council voted 7-1 to submit a proposal. The city of Enfield has been talked about for a casino in a now defunct cinema, which is part of Enfield Square Mall.
Steven N. Wawruck, who supported the proposal, lamented after the vote, “We just lost an opportunity for job creation and tax revenue for the town of Windsor Locks and the state of Connecticut.”
About 50 people attended the meeting, with supporters and opponents about equally divided.
It is possible that supporters could persuade the state legislature to take action that would make it possible for Bradley International Airport to make its own proposal for a casino, independent of the city. Currently law requires that a municipal government make such a proposal.
Before the vote the airport’s executive director, Kevin Dillon, told the board, “We think there’s a unique opportunity to bring the gaming facility, if it is going to happen, to the airport and certainly here to Windsor Locks.”
During the presentation he said, “We’re always looking for opportunities to bring in revenues. It also means quite a bit, I think, for the town in terms of potential returns to the town as well as jobs. There would be a lot of jobs not only related to the construction of the facility but the ongoing operation of the facility.”
Some residents urged council members not to commit the city to a casino in view of the council elections that will be decided on November 3.
The Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohegans, which operate the state’s only casinos, have joined forces to issue a request for proposals for a satellite casino. The deadline for such a proposal is November 6. The tribes anticipate choosing a location by December 15.
After that milepost is reached the legislature would need to pass enabling legislation to allow a third tribal casino in the state.
