Osten Announces Tribal Casino Interests Come First in Gaming Policy.

The headline tells the tale. State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and a coalition of southeastern Connecticut legislators will pursue the interests of the state’s tribal casinos over the general public interest in broadening Connecticut residents’ gaming choices.

In a statement Monday, Osten and her regional colleagues will once more pursue giving the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Native American tribes exclusive domain over new games in Connecticut, including sports betting and online gaming. “The gaming and entertainment markets are constantly evolving with new attractions and ways to play, and our state should adapt to that dynamic marketplace with an open mind and leverage the incredible assets we already have in place in Southeastern Connecticut,” Rep. Mike France, a Republican, added to the statement. 

The legislators, however, do not want much innovation. A dynamic marketplace would include competition. If gaming is to be expanded the best way would be to open that marketplace to insure maximum innovation and competition. In addition, Governor Ned Lamont would be prudent to apply some stringent financial standards to those who enter the gaming marketplace.