Welcome to the Casino State

The Casino State is the slogan that will replace The Constitution State on Connecticut’s license plates if the Golden Hill Paugusetts get their way.

Connecticut is currently home to the two largest casinos in the world that take in a combined $2 billion per year in non-taxable income. As we speak, groups seeking federal recognition and tribal status are considering four additional casinos for Connecticut. These groups of American citizens are looking to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for a nod that will allow them to form sovereign nations only a few miles from New Canaan. The Golden Hill Paugusetts in Bridgeport have said they will lay claim to property in Fairfield County if they are not given approval to build a casino there. The Schaghticoke in Kent have already filed a land claim which is pending against that town and private landowners. The Nipmuc, backed by Lakes Gaming, Inc. want to build a casino in Union, and the Historic Eastern Pequots, backed by Donald Trump want to build a casino in New London County. With help from the Federal Government and a corrupt BIA, each group is seeking to enrich itself at our expense by threatening to lay claim to private property throughout the state if their demands are not met.

In December and January the BIA could in fact recognize the claim of some or all of these groups, which would pave the way for casino construction in the spring. Each group has land deals in place for property that would become sovereign territory and home to 24/7 gambling.

These groups are using extortion, in the form of bogus land claims, to get what they really want – 4 more casinos in Connecticut. Backed by heavy funding from outside developers, they would have us believe that casinos are good for our economy and a beleaguered Bridgeport. The strain on Connecticut’s infrastructure to support additional casinos might cost us 3$ for every 1$ gained including schools and low income housing for casino employees who receive substandard benefits and low wages.

Casinos have a negative effect on surrounding communities, especially in urban areas. Crime rates in communities with casinos are 84% higher than the national average including drug abuse, prostitution, and assault. Bridgeport is an urban city very different from the “remote” locations of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. One-third of Atlantic City's retail businesses closed within four years of the arrival of casinos. Casinos also take money away from other area attractions effecting tourism revenues.

From Stonington to Danbury and Union to Kent residents are organizing against additional casinos by saying enough is enough. They have seen the effects on other communities like Atlantic City. They know that a casino is not the only answer to Bridgeport’s problems and have witnessed the resurgence of Providence Rhode Island after it rebuffed casinos and rebuilt itself into a thriving costal city. The residents in Connecticut who are signing petitions by the hundreds wish only to protect quality of life for all and that includes seeing Bridgeport thrive as a successful business and residential city. The Indian groups fronting for developers like Donald Trump cannot say the same. They charge that if they do not get the casino then they will sue for land.

Politicians like Governor Rowland, Attorney General Blumenthal, and Congressman Shays along with Chambers of Commerce and other civic groups in Connecticut are coming out against casino expansion. A grassroots organization, The Alliance, led by author Jeff Benedict is gaining momentum throughout the state with a web site dedicated to the issue at www.connecticutalliance.org.

It is not too late to stop this negative impact on our state. We need to communicate to all of our elected officials that we do not want any more casinos in Connecticut.

Chief Quiet Hawk of the Golden Hill Paugusetts was quoted in the New York Times recently as saying “I don’t like Gambling”. Well neither do I. Not when it comes at the expense of quality of life!