The city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, may finally host a casino — but it might be the state’s two tribal nations, and not MGM, that back the project.
MGM proposed a Bridgeport casino about two years ago.
But Connecticut House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz said Friday he’s trying to throw a “hail Mary pass” in the final days of the legislative session to reach a deal with the state’s two federally recognized tribes.
That deal could include sports betting, internet gambling and a possible Bridgeport casino.
“An MGM casino in Bridgeport was never going to happen because of the compact that we have with the tribes,” Aresimowicz said. “So let's put a plan on the table that could actually pass.”
The Democrat said Friday he has held private meetings with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, members of the Bridgeport legislative delegation, and others, adding how he's “not willing to give up on the idea” of crafting a bill that might satisfy various interests.
Aresimowicz also said the odds of reaching an agreement are “better today than they were yesterday,” but acknowledged it's an uphill battle to pass something in the current session, which ends Wednesday, or in a special legislative session.
Andrew Doba, spokesperson for the joint venture between the Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohegans, on Friday confirmed that the city of Bridgeport and the tribes are talking about putting a casino in the city.
Doba said the long-delayed East Windsor casino project, Tribal Winds, is still moving forward, and won't be abandoned in favor of anything happening in Bridgeport:
There is no 'either/or' solution when it comes to East Windsor and Bridgeport, and we shouldn't be playing two Connecticut communities against each other. In fact, both municipalities can play a critical role in helping us to maximize jobs and revenue for Connecticut. We continue to have conversations with the administration, legislative leaders, the Bridgeport delegation and the mayor on a global solution that will also bring some level of investment in the Park City. We're hoping to come to a resolution sooner rather than later.
An MGM representative declined to comment.
Robert Maynard, first selectman of East Windsor, said Friday he’s not worried a possible tribal casino in Bridgeport will sink the one planned for his town.
“I think East Windsor was chosen because of the casino that's just up the street in Springfield, and that's taking jobs and revenue from Connecticut,” Maynard said. “So that's a very good reason to have it in East Windsor. But Bridgeport needs a casino, and I think it could do pretty well.”
The two tribes are slated to start building a casino in East Windsor any day now.
Frankie Graziano, Heather Brandon and Alden Bourne contributed to this report, which includes information from The Associated Press.
Disclosure: MGM has purchased underwriting from New England Public Radio publicizing the company's non-gambling activities. The NEPR newsroom operates independently of the station's development department, and editorial decisions are made without regard to any funding relationships.
