The East Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously in favor of a special zoning permit for a casino proposed for the site of a former movie theater off Interstate 91, taking the project one step closer to reality.
MMCT Venture, the joint company of the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes, has proposed opening a $300 million 188,000 square foot gaming and entertainment facility in spring 2020. It would include around 1,800 slot machines, 50 table games and 10 poker tables.
The commission approved a general development plan at a special meeting Tuesday night. Another meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 27, to discuss the site plan and to move through the site plan approval process.
The site plan approval process will get into some of the finer details of design such as driveway locations, sidewalks and other details.
“It's consistent regarding the zone in town so it's consistent with all the other commercial development and it would be a tremendous economic opportunity for East Windsor and the region in general,” said Joe Ouellette, East Windsor’s Planning and Zoning Commission chairman.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Interior issued one of two approvals needed for the construction.
A project spokesman has said the second approval is expected soon on amendments to a similar agreement between the state and Mashantucket Pequots.
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Supporters argue this casino would compete with the new MGM casino opening this summer in Springfield, Massachusetts and preserve jobs and revenue in the state.
MGM has been fighting the tribes on the issue and argues it was not given equal opportunity to compete for a casino license at the same time.
