Lawmaker supportive of tribes' bid for later alcohol service at casinos
A key member of the state legislative committee that oversees gaming said Thursday he’d be supportive of the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes’ bid to extend hours of alcohol service at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun.
“In order for them to remain competitive, it’s something we certainly need to look at,” said Rep. Joe Verrengia, the West Hartford Democrat who co-chairs the Public Safety and Security Committee. “We’d need to have an open, transparent discussion about all the issues involved and with all the groups that want to comment, like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).”
The tribes’ renewed interest in later alcohol service stems from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s approval last week of later hours of service at MGM Springfield, the nearly $1 billion resort casino set to open Aug. 24 near the Connecticut border. The new casino won permission to serve alcohol to active gamblers until 4 a.m. daily — two hours later than otherwise allowed.
Alcohol service in Connecticut, including at the casinos, is prohibited later than 1 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
Verrengia said authorizing extended hours of alcohol service at the casinos likely would involve a public hearing during next year’s session of the General Assembly.
"It's a very sensitive issue," he said.
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