Connectiut Hopes to Expand to Online Poker
Connecticut only has a mere two casinos in its entire state, but despite this they still generate millions every year. Recent change in regulation interpretation as well as a memorandum on the Wire Act, the prospect of Online Poker is slowly evolving and growing on much of the lesser states in the United States. Casino Operators and state officials have been taking note of these changes and are keeping a close eye on changes to see the impact that online poker could have on producing revenue for the casinos and that state.
Casino gambling so far has been extremely successful, says Mohegan Tribe Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum. “We’re packed all the time — 30- to 35,000 people come through here a day,” he says.
Bozsum’s Casino resort covers 185 acres, features an upscaled 1,200 room hotel which contains night clubs, restaurants with celebrity chefs as well as hosting big name entertainers such as Neil Diamond and Toby Keith. Bozsum believes that whilst the reform for Online Poker is not going to put a dent in revenue despite the circumstances.
“It’s a different market now. People come in, they gamble for a little while,” he explains, but “if they win, they leave immediately. In older times, people would spend a lot more time at a table, more time at a slot machine.”
Governor Chris Christie has stated that he wants New Jersey to become the gaming capital of the world and tied to the presence of the casino industry. Further more, the governor is negotiating a deal that could put Connecticut casino tribes in charge of new gaming enterprises.
Even though there are high hopes and expectations for online poker, some, such as Marquis Jackson believe that whilst prospects are interesting, the casino atmosphere is essential.
“I’m intrigued by it, but nothing like doing the real thing,” he says. “It’s nothing like the real thing. Being on the computer is all right, but at the end of the day, everybody goes to the casino. I like to breathe the air, you know, sip the drinks, watch the people.”
Bozsum said that he agrees with Jackson, but that the introduction of Online Poker will still be a win for the casinos.
“They may play at home, too, on their down time,” he says. “They may play at work. Who knows? There’s no way to tell who’s going to play. But it will introduce a lot of new players to the game of poker.”
For Casino Mohegan Sun, new customers are always anticipated and wanted. The Casino hopes that with the introduction of online poker, they can attract more people to the Casino with the added feel of luxury that is not brought about by sitting at home and gambling.
[Source: NPR]
