The sovereign tribes of Connecticut are implementing a phased reopening of land-based casinos after major revenue loss and lay-offs during the national lockdown, defying the wishes of Gov. Ned Lamont.
Connecticut’s sovereign tribal nations will be opening the Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun on June 1st, 2020. The Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes announced a gradual reopening of these land-based casino establishments. With a phased reopening, the casinos will initially target only Connecticut and Rhode Island patrons.
Gov. Ned Lamont Ignored By Casino Owners
The phased reopening of both tribally owned casinos will be done in clear defiance of Gov. Ned Lamont’s wishes. Lamont is trying to manage a gradual reopening of commerce but the tribal nations have grown impatient.
“As other Connecticut businesses begin to emerge from the lockdown, so will the Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots. It’s time.”
Lamont responded to the announcement saying that it’s risky for those working at the casinos and those visiting the casino:
“It’s risky for the people who work at the casinos, it’s risky for the people who go to the casinos, it’s risky for the region because you have a lot of employees who go back out to the region. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that we put public health first”
While he can appeal to their leadership to consider the broader impact of their decisions he admits there is little more he can do as they are sovereign tribes.
Safety Measurements for the Reopening
According to the tribes they have already developed phased reopening plans to keep theatres, convention spaces and buffets closed. This would ensure there is only limited access allowed to slot machines and table games.
Lamont’s biggest concern is that their reopening will draw patrons from New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts as they are the first to open in the region.
James Gessner, Mohegan chairman said:
“We completely agree, that’s why the plan we put forward today made clear that both casinos will not accept buses from New York or Massachusetts, nor will we do any marketing to those states at this time. Second, they are concerned about older customers who may have increased health risks. Again we agree, that’s why the plan we put forward today made clear that we will advise older customers to take specific precautions and to stay home if they are part of an at-risk group."
The Mashantucket’s tribe, the owner of Foxwoods, have had to lay off more than 4,000 employees which include members of their Pequot family. It is for this reason that the tribes have chosen to ‘go against’ Gov. Lamont’s wishes and plan to go ahead with a phased reopening of their casinos.
The tribes believe they can keep both employees and casino visitors safe and is determined to go ahead with a reopening. While they respected the Governor’s wishes and closed at the start of the outbreak it has become a struggle for them to stay afloat and the loss of revenue and employees have been too great.
The Foxwood Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun will reopen on the 1st of June to Connecticut and Rhode Island Patrons.
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