Is MGM Scrapping Its Plans For A Connecticut Casino?

During MGM Resorts’ latest earnings call, CEO Jim Murren stated that the company’s primary objective is enhancing its current Las Vegas Strip properties, rather than undertaking any new constructions in the United States.

During the call, Murren announced that our newest property will be located in Springfield, Mass. It will also be our final major development project within the United States, set to open in September.

The comments made by MGM were widely understood as an indication that they were abandoning their contentious intention to challenge tribal exclusivity in Connecticut. MGM had been attempting to construct a commercial casino in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

According to Andrew Doba, a spokesperson for the Foxwoods-Mohegan Sun casino project, we initially labeled it as a stunt, but as we gather more information, it seems to be accurate. MGM’s contradictory statements are evident.

Is Bridgeport a stunt?

Play MA has extensively covered Connecticut’s casino projects, but we have deliberately ignored the obvious issue. It is clear that MGM’s Bridgeport casino is nothing more than a strategic move to delay or obstruct the joint tribal casino in East Windsor, Connecticut.

Earlier this year, the Foxwoods-Mohegan Sun satellite casino was given the green light in Connecticut, despite MGM’s objections. MGM has consistently voiced their opposition throughout the entire process as it also aligns with their own interests to halt the project.

The location of the proposed joint tribal casino site is approximately a 15-minute drive away from the still-under-construction MGM Springfield.

Uri Clinton, MGM Resorts’ senior vice president and legal counsel, refuted the idea that the Bridgeport project is simply a “stunt.”

Clinton highlighted the second portion of Murren’s statement, clarifying that the MGM CEO was referring to a particular development phase rather than making a statement about forthcoming projects in the United States.

After Murren’s initial comment, Clinton drew attention to the line.

“And that concludes our development cycle.”

Clinton informed the Hartford Courant that MGM is actively and aggressively pursuing new growth opportunities, such as Bridgeport, that have yet to obtain legislative approval.

MGM is fully dedicated to advocating for the passage of legislation that would allow for the construction of a casino in Bridgeport. We eagerly anticipate receiving legislative approval and are prepared to promptly initiate the execution of our plans.

Even if it’s not a bluff…

MGM’s plan for a casino in Bridgeport faces significant challenges and is unlikely to become a reality anytime soon. Numerous obstacles must be overcome before it can come close to fruition.

Nevertheless, it is worth considering that a casino in Connecticut may not be the most unfavorable notion, as we have previously mentioned. However, it is highly probable that the state will not have to engage in a thorough discussion regarding its advantages and disadvantages for an extended period, if at all.