[Editor’s note: This post was edited at 7:30 p.m. to update the estimate of the number of casino-related jobs in Connecticut that could be lost in the future if no action is taken to add new gambling venues in the state.]

Norwich — The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments voted Wednesday to endorse proposed legislation that could bring more casinos to the state. 

The bill would allow the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe to establish up to three new casinos in locations around the state. 

Sitting next to William Satti, liaison to COG from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council, Chuck Bunnell, representing the Mohegan Tribal Council, told COG members Wednesday that the issue of new casinos coming to neighboring states affects the region and the entire state. 

“The issue we face is not a Democratic issue, it’s not a Republican issue,” said Bunnell, the Mohegan council’s chief of staff. “It’s not a Senate issue or a House issue. It’s not management, it’s not labor, it’s not union or non-union.” 

“This is something that is coming — it’s here,” he added. “Licenses have been issued in the states that surround us, and we are unified in hopefully doing something.” 

Bunnell thanked those in the region — including Montville Mayor Ronald McDaniel and Norwich Mayor Deberey Hinchey — who testified on Tuesday on behalf of the bill, as well as representatives from Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport. 

Satti, the director of public affairs for the Mashantuckets, said inaction on the issue could mean a loss of jobs, both at the casinos and for related businesses, such as casino vendors. After the meeting, he said that about 11,000 direct and indirect jobs could be lost. 

In its endorsement of the bill, COG stipulated that a casino proposal should be subject to review by any host community later identified in the process. 

The proposed bill also includes language that the establishment of a proposed casino is subject to approval from its host community. 

Later in the meeting, Deborah Monahan, the co-chairwoman of the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments’ Regional Human Services Coordinating Council, weighed in. 

“I shudder to think what the impact would be on this community if those casinos started laying off people,” said Monahan, who is also the executive director of the Thames Valley Council for Community Action. “A $9 an hour job is a job. The alternative is no job, and I don’t think any one of us can stand back and let that happen. We certainly have our work cut out for us.”

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich