An economist from the University of Connecticut says Connecticut should consider legalizing commercial casinos.

Arthur Wright says the state faces pressure as gambling grows in New England. One or two commercial casinos would keep gamblers from straying, he says.

Tribal leaders weren't receptive to the idea. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe have compacts that give them exclusivity for Class III gaming and the agreements would have to be renegotiated if commercial gaming is legalized.

Under the compacts, the tribes share 25 percent of slot machine revenues with the state. That came to $430 million this year alone.

Get the Story:
Economist: Build casinos (The Norwich Bulletin 12/12)
State's Gaming Future Debated (The Hartford Courant 12/12)
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Panelists urge 3d Conn. casino to counteract Mass. plans (The Boston Globe 12/12)
Casinos' impact assessed (The Republican 12/12)
Economists: Casinos Face Competition (The New London Day 12/13)
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