Gov. Lamont nixes ‘11th hour’ casino proposal for Bridgeport

HARTFORD -

Gov. Ned Lamont has nixed a last-minute plan to bring a casino to Bridgeport.

Bridgeport was trying to get a $350 million casino deal approved with just hours left in the legislative session.

The plan would have dumped MGM's longtime plans to build on the Bridgeport waterfront, and instead let the tribes who run Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun build a much-smaller resort.

In exchange, the tribes would get $100 million in public subsidies and exclusive rights to offer sports betting in Connecticut.

The plan would have almost certainly led to lawsuits from MGM and sports wagering companies that want a slice of that business.

A spokesperson for Gov. Lamont released a statement: “This 11th hour proposal has not been fully vetted or reviewed, and with only one day until the end of session, it's not in the public's best interest to take up this matter."

The statement continues: "Instead of resolving outstanding litigation, it puts the state at increased and immediate litigation risk from multiple parties."

In spite of the setback, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim remains optimistic some sort of deal can be worked out this summer.

Gov. Lamont has been trying to reach a deal that satisfies everyone, but for MGM to go along with it, the tribes would have to abandon a casino they want to build near Hartford. To that, the tribes reportedly said, "No deal."

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