Column: No special liquor rules for tribal casinos

Friday, December 5, 2008  

"By 1 a.m., Foxwoods, like the rest of Connecticut's drinking establishments, had gone dry.

The gambling, though, continued merrily on, and MGM, like the rest of Foxwoods, was surprisingly awake, if not exactly busy, so early in the morning.

Sections of the casino did look as deserted as an airport terminal after the last flights of the night, but small numbers trudged on at tables and slot machines in all six of the casino villages that make up the city of Foxwoods.

But could it be busier, as Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have suggested in a bid to the state to extend liquor hours? More to the point, would people stay longer, gamble more and generate more money for the state in liquor taxes and slots revenues?

Probably some, but not a lot, I would guess, based on the large percentage of slots and table game players I saw working on water and coffee even before 1 a.m. In fact, gambling revenues are down a lot lately in Atlantic City, too, where you can drink 24 hours a day in the casinos.

Allowing the tribes special privileges for longer liquor hours would be unacceptable, an invitation to bar-goers all over the state to get in their cars after the local last call to party on at the casinos."

Get the Story:
David Collins: Later last call isn't a cure-all (The New London Day 12/5)