Editorial: Limit liquor at Connecticut casinos

Monday, December 1, 2008  

"A proposal that would allow Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun to sell alcohol around the clock instead of abiding by state limits of 1 a.m. on weeknights and 2 a.m. on weekends could almost serve up a flip reaction: What have they been drinking?

But this is a serious topic with potentially serious repercussions that deserves a more sober response: Drop the idea now. It would not just encourage less responsible, more alcohol-clouded gambling, but potentially worse, it could put more intoxicated, late-night drivers on the road.

”What I think you'd see ... are people leaving bars and going to the casinos to extend the party,” said Preston First Selectman Robert Congdon.

”You gotta be kidding me,” was the more succinct response of North Stonington First Selectman Nicholas Mullane to news reports about the informal talks between the casinos and state officials of possibly extending “last call.” In fairness, we understand the argument being made in favor of the idea; both casinos are reporting declining revenues, which in turn lowers their payments to an already cash-strapped state."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Don't eliminate 'last call' (The New London Day 11/29)

Another Story:
Towns wary of casinos’ alcohol proposal (AP 11/28)