Connecticut House approves East Windsor casino

The votes marked a stunning turnaround from only two weeks ago when Democratic leaders announced that they did not have enough support to approve the East Windsor casino that had been passed by the state Senate. After the historic votes, the House adjourned at 1:45 a.m. Wednesday.

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The measure passed on a bipartisan basis on one of the most controversial issues facing the legislature in the past two years.

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In addition, lawmakers said another key element was the Senate's approval Tuesday night of the legalization of mixed martial arts matches for the first time on nontribal land as a way to help cities and win votes for the casino package. When a plan to place slot machines at off-track betting sites in Bridgeport, New Haven and Waterbury fell apart Monday night, legislators said it became more important to ensure that those cities could be helped if they want to host mixed martial arts fights.

The multipronged package was designed to win as many votes as possible and address the concerns of the gambling industry.

The measure calls for expanding the number of off-track betting sites to 24, up from the current 18, officials said. It also instructs the state's consumer protection department to begin establishing a regulatory structure for potential sports betting in the event of legalization by the federal government.

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New Jersey has tried to legalize sports betting in Atlantic City casinos to raise state revenue.

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MGM has questioned the process in Connecticut, where many legislators have favored a no-bid casino on private, nontribal land in a process that did not allow open competition by casino operators like MGM or Steve Wynn.