Connecticut was certainly one of the first adopters when it came to casino that is adding in the northeastern United States.

Whenever Foxwoods exposed in 1986, the competition that is closest was in Atlantic City, and despite having the opening of Mohegan Sun 10 years later on, those two casinos stood out as an island in an area devoid of gambling options.

But times have actually changed, and some in Connecticut have felt that it is time to expand gambling beyond those two gambling enterprises so that you can take on increasing competition in the region.

Unfortunately for folks who were and only such measures, they won’t be arriving 2015.

Connecticut State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) announced on Monday that a proposition that could have legalized slot machines outside of the two Indian casinos in the state was dead for the season, postponing a vote on the issue until 2016 at the earliest.

‘While this is a difficult budget period, Connecticut’s economy continues to recover,’ Duff said. ‘The unemployment rate is down, and we continue to grow jobs.

Former Speaker Amann’s idea of putting slot machines at off-track betting sites near the Massachusetts border is not the answer, and any expansion of gaming needs to be done in consultation with all the tribes. With that stated, this proposal shall never be raised in the Senate.’

Expanded Competition in Region Prompted Calls for Slots

The prospect of expanding slot machines through the state ended up being raised due to the competition that is increasing up in surrounding states.

Massachusetts recently approved two casinos and a slots parlor, and could well accept a casino that is third this year. Nyc recently recommended adding three upstate casinos, could decide to suggest a fourth, and might add downstate resorts in the long run.

And other locations like Pennsylvania, Atlantic City, and Rhode Island are all within driving distance for most Connecticut residents too.

However, you will find concerns that adding slots that are such the state may maybe not be appropriate. Both the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes (which run the two native casinos that are american the Connecticut) operate under revenue-sharing compacts that have been agreed to more than 25 years ago.

The tribes must pay 25 percent of their slot revenues to the state; however, they in turn have the exclusive rights to operate such machines under those agreements.

That agreement was fairly profitable for the continuing state of Connecticut, though revenues have dropped in recent years. Slot revenues peaked for the state back in 2007, when they took in $430 million.

That figure is projected to drop to $267 million in the current year that is fiscal and analysts are predicting that number to fall to $191 million by the 2018 fiscal 12 months, that will be 1st year after MGM opens their brand new resort in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Some Lawmakers Think Bill Will Still Be Considered Sooner or Later

Previous State Speaker of the House Jim Amann, a Democrat from Milford, said that while he knows why Duff would actually choose to kill the bill, he still thinks that the theory is eventually something the state has to take into account.

‘It’s free slot play titanic about jobs. It’s about revenues. It is about protecting Connecticut profits,’ Amann said. ‘ This is a battle for the survival of Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods and our parimutuels,’ Amann said. ‘ I do not realize why there wasn’t more urgency on this.’

Other legislators have stated that despite Duff’s reviews, it’s still early in the 12 months, and anything could take place in the months to come.

‘Pitchers and catchers haven’t even arrived yet,’ said State Representative Stephen Dargan (D-West Haven). ‘It’s early in the period.’