Rendering of Planned East Windsor Gaming Facility Released

EAST WINDSOR, CT — A rendering of the planned casino to be built at the former Showcase Cinemas site on Route 5 was released Wednesday.

The Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribes outlined the benefits of Senate Bill 957, which would include a massive infusion of funding to assist the state's tourism industry.

The proposed development will be a world-class, 200,000 square foot gaming and entertainment facility with 2,000 slot machines and 50 to 150 table games.

As SB 957 stipulates, the facility would pay a 25 percent tax on its slot machines and a 25 percent tax on its table games, on par with Massachusetts tax rates. The table game tax rate will be split, with 10 percent of the revenue going directly to the state and 15 percent going to support state tourism initiatives. The bill could add as much as $10 million to the state's annual tourism promotion budget.

A development agreement was passed unanimously by the East Windsor Board of Selectmen in late February, stipulating that the venture's holding company, MMCT, will pay the town $3 million no later than 15 months before the gaming facility opens. MMCT will also pay the town $3 million annually on top of regular tax payments, which are expected to total approximately $5.5 million per year.

Construction of an MGM casino in nearby Springfield, Mass. spurred tribal officials to partner and seek a spot in northern Connecticut to offset the potential loss of revenue to the Bay State.

“SB 957 is exactly what Connecticut needs to thwart an immediate threat right across our border,” Kevin Brown, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribe, said in a written statement. “What’s more, tourism-boosting provisions make this a statewide bill that will benefit every corner of Connecticut.”

“Tourism is a critical part of Connecticut’s economy, but financial constraints have kept our state from doing all it can to grow this industry,” Rodney Butler, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, said in the statement. “This bill will be a boon to the many thousands of businesses across Connecticut that rely on attracting new visitors.”

Photo courtesy of MMCT Venture