Connecticut casinos waiting for governor's authorization to reopen

"To walk the entire concourse and barely run into one person is completely unimaginable," Rodney Butler, Mashantucket Tribal Chair said.

The tribal chair said Foxwoods is burning through several million dollars a week from their reserve account.

They’re coordinating with the state on slot revenue contributions and are supposed to get federal aid, WTNH reports. Butler says the CARES Act included money for tribes but a court case and government red tape are holding up the process.

“$8 billion stuck in a lawsuit – no clear timeline of distribution,” he said.

A total of 6,500 gaming, shop and restaurant employees are not working; 200 vendors statewide are not delivering, and a tribal nation of 1,000 waiting.

Governor Ned Lamont is adamant about the casinos remaining closed.

“I do think they should stay closed for a while longer even with the very best social distancing protocols,” he said.

“Everything is going to change in the casino industry,” Butler said. With no timeline for reopening, Butler said Foxwoods is ready when it’s time.

‘We’ll have significant spacing at the tables. Distancing at the slot machines.”

There will be no buffet, no bingo until the all clear is given.

“We are ready and can turn on the lights pretty quickly once we get the green light,” he said.

There are renewed talks about online gaming. It could not only help the tribal nation but also Connecticut’s coffers.