Senator Tony Hwang Cautiously Votes to Advance Gambling Legislation, Calls for Further Evaluation on Statutory Language and Societal Impact

Image result for casino table gamesImage result for casino slot machinesState Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) released the following statement after the Public Safety & Security Committee Meeting voted to draft the following bills concerning sports gambling and casino expansion.

The Connecticut General Assembly’s Public Safety & Security Committee met on Thursday, February 28th and voted to draft four pieces of legislation concerning sports betting and casino expansion. All four bills [HB 7055, SB 11, SB 17 & SB 665] were voted out of the committee on February 28th.

State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28), Ranking Member of the Public Safety & Security Committee, cautiously voted to draft legislative language and reserve his deciding committee vote after carefully evaluating all four gambling related measures and the implications of the statutory language and legislative intent.

“I remain concerned and uneasy about the idea of gambling expansion in Connecticut for its devastating societal impact. This industry has shown to be over-saturated and a declining economic model. The two tribal casinos we already have are showing diminishing returns month after month, and the MGM casino in Springfield, MA, with rosy promises to be economically revitalizing, is underperforming,” said Senator Hwang. “I reluctantly voted to advance drafting of statutory language as part of committee leadership to move the discussion forward. I believed this issue deserve the attention and debate of the full legislative body. We should be debating fully-drafted and vetted legislation, not concepts.”

Senator Hwang listed his concerns as the following:

  • the constitutionality of current exclusive gaming compacts the state has with the tribes which guarantees a percentage of their slot machine revenue.
  • risk losing current revenue from tribal compact with an open request for proposal (RFP) bidding process for a new casino and with sports gambling.
  • most importantly, we must address the societal costs of addiction tied directly to increase access to and proliferation of gambling.

“Any deal we strike that would result in higher profits for the gaming industry and state government should be accompanied by proportional increases in funding for combatting gambling addiction, expanding mental health services, and any other historical beneficiaries.”

“When it comes to sports gambling, specifically, I understand my colleagues’ desire to push this through as fast as possible to better compete with our neighboring states. I strongly believe that we should wait, learn from their experience and possible mistakes, and perhaps be wiser in adopting a better version of the policy or not doing so at all.”

“I look forward to the committee and possibly Senate floor debate on these critical issues so that we may reach the best possible solution for the state.  Meanwhile, I welcome testimony and community feedback on these issues by contacting my office 860.240.8805, my email: Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov or visit www.SenatorHwang.com

Watch Senator Hwang and Senator Paul Formica debate proposed gambling legislation during the February 26th Public Safety Committee Public Hearing HERE.

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