"We just lost an opportunity for job creation and tax revenue for the town of Windsor Locks and the state of Connecticut."
Steven Wawruck
A proposal to build a casino at Bradley International Airport to compete with a casino planned for nearby Springfield, Massachusetts, suffered a setback when Windsor Locks selectmen rejected the idea.
Selectmen voted two-to-one Tuesday against the casino proposal after hearing from several proponents, including Connecticut Airport Authority's executive director, Kevin Dillon.
The MashantucketPequots and the Mohegans, the Native American tribes that own Connecticut's casinos, are working together to pursue a property in northern Connecticut to compete with MGM's Springfield casino.
The vote was along party lines. According to a report from The Hartford Courant, two Republican selectmen --- Dennis Gragnolati and Michael Russo -- were against the proposal. The only person to vote for the proposal was First Selectman Steven Wawruck, who is a Democrat.
Supporters say a casino would bring jobs and tax revenue to town, but opponents cited associated problems.
Wawruck was disappointed with the outcome.
"We just lost an opportunity for job creation and tax revenue for the town of Windsor Locks and the state of Connecticut," Wawruck said, according to the Courant.
But Russo was pleased, despite the potential loss of revenue for Windsor Locks.
"I don't think casinos bring all the positives that many people like to embrace," Russo said, according to the Courant.
Windsor Locks isn't the only town where a new casino could be built. Other developers have pitched locations in East Hartford and Enfield as possible sites.
Leyda Quast is an intern at WNPR. This report includes information from The Associated Press.
