Casino Coalition Aligns With MA Protestors

An organization that aims to promote and protect Connecticut’s casino jobs says it’s willing to work with Massachusetts protest groups against casino development in that state. WNPR’s Harriet Jones reports.

 

According to its spokesman, the newly formed Connecticut Coalition for Gaming Jobs exists to raise awareness of the economic importance of Connecticut’s casinos, especially in terms of employment. To that end it is scrutinizing casino projects proposed elsewhere in New England and New York both to see if they meet proper legal requirements, and also whether they’re popular with the local community. It’s already appealed the federal recognition of the Shinnecock tribe in Long Island, which has sought to open a casino in New York state, and now executive director Matthew Hennessy says the group is looking to promote the interests of casino protestors in Massachusetts.

 

“Clearly, if there are community groups that have serious problems with casinos being placed in their community because they don’t see the benefit, we likely will have conversations with those folks to see where our interests align.”

 

The group is remaining tight lipped about its origins and funding though – Hennessy will only say that it is a coalition of small businesses, employers, employees and corporations advocating for gaming jobs. Both the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequots, the owners of Connecticut’s two casinos say they are not involved with the coalition and have not provided funding for its efforts.

 

For WNPR, I'm Harriet Jones.