CT Governor rejects call for temporary igaming launch

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has rejected a request to give the state’s two tribal casinos, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, temporary approval to launch online gaming during the shutdown enforced as a result of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The measure was requested by the chief elected officials and chief executive officers of the 22 municipal members of the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG).  The SCCOG requested Governor Lamont issue an Executive Order to allow the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation-owned Foxwoods and Mohegan Tribe’s Mohegan Sun to launch igaming during the shut-down, which began on 17 March. “It is clear that we are in uncharted territory with this pandemic that our state and our nation are facing,” SCCOG chair Mark Nickerson wrote.  “Many millions of people and businesses are suffering and we do not know when this health crisis will end. In our region, two of our largest employers, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Casinos, have shut down to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. They have also donated their food and facilities to help the greater good. Nickerson described Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun as strong community partners, which had their operations altered “in an unprecedented way” by the public health emergency. “This revenue source will help them to immediately offset the losses they are facing,” he said. “It will help get people back to work more quickly when the pandemic ends. It will help assure that the many municipalities that depend on revenue from the Pequot Fund are able to continue to receive this much needed funding.” Read the full story on iGB North America.