Connecticut legislative leaders say they have struck a deal on legislation for a Bridgeport casino, sports betting and online gambling. But Governor Ned Lamont says it falls short of what he could support.
The deal would allow Connecticut’s two tribal casinos to jointly build a third gambling facility in Bridgeport. It would also allow the state lottery to sell tickets online and allow the tribal casinos to offer sports betting and online gambling.
Lamont is skeptical the deal would survive a legal challenge from MGM Resorts. It pushed a competing casino plan for Bridgeport.
“I do have an ongoing concern that sports betting and internet gambling have been locked up with a legal cloud hanging over it for a while. So I’ve got to make sure that any deal we are able to come forward with does not lead us to another year upon year of litigation, and stop us dead in the tracks.”
Lamont says he would prefer a deal that includes all the interested parties.
Lawmakers expect to take up the gambling expansion bill in special session.
