Rell Proposes 24-Hour Bar Service At State's Casinos

[HartfordTycoon]

I totally agree with the Governor on this. Finally bold thinking from Jodi Rell. This is something that definitely should be done in my opinion. I also would like to see other special entertainment districts around the state where drinking hours could be expanded in order to foster a truly competitive nightlife environment here in CT. The CT Dems need to get on board with this and realize that it will not end civilization as we know it. I am concerned about DUI's 24 hours a day and we need to be vigilant in getting such drivers off the road, however I don't think that this is going to be the cause for a massive increase in DUI activity.

Hartford Courant

Courant.com

Indian Casinos

Rell Proposes 24-Hour Bar Service At State's Casinos

By CHRISTOPHER KEATING

The Hartford Courant

February 25, 2009

It's 3 a.m. and the dice are hot, but if you're gambling in Connecticut, good luck getting a cold beer.

Unlike Atlantic City and Las Vegas, where the booze flows all night, the liquor services at the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos shut down by 1 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

With the state desperate for money as it faces multibillion-dollar deficits, Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Republican lawmakers want to allow 24-hour bar service seven days a week at the state's casinos.

But some Democrats say Rell's proposal goes too far. The controversial provision, which would generate about $5 million annually, is among multiple proposals in Rell's deficit-cutting plan that will be debated today by state legislators. Lawmakers want to close a projected deficit of $1.35 billion in the current fiscal year and possibly $8.7 billion in the next two.

Though round-the-clock alcohol sales would put Connecticut's casinos on par with those in Nevada and New Jersey, Democrats dropped the idea from their package, forcing the Republicans to craft amendments to keep the proposal alive. The Democrats say the idea would backfire, forcing the state to spend more money on enforcement by the state police for DUI roadblocks and patrols.

[The Voice of Reason]

Yeah everyone at work is glad to see this.

I too think there should be a 4 AM district that cities could vote into effect.

It would have to be something that only the larger towns could do and it would have to be a fairly small area.

For example Hartford should only be able to make Pratt and Allyn streets 4AM or maybe slightly larger area than that. this way a true entertainment area could develop.

[HartfordTycoon]

Yeah everyone at work is glad to see this.

I too think there should be a 4 AM district that cities could vote into effect.

It would have to be something that only the larger towns could do and it would have to be a fairly small area.

For example Hartford should only be able to make Pratt and Allyn streets 4AM or maybe slightly larger area than that. this way a true entertainment area could develop.

[doz180]

I too think there should be a 4 AM district that cities could vote into effect.

[MadVlad]

People should be allowed to sell what they want, when they want. Laws limiting items like booze at certain hours or on certain days are archaic. Why does the legislature have to determine what day a certain kind of store owner has to take off? The people fighting the sunday Packy thing are just looking for a free day off.

[Lowerdeck]

This doesn't look like it might happen now after that fatal crash in Montville over the weekend, considering how over-reactionary this state tends to get.

[The Voice of Reason]

This doesn't look like it might happen now after that fatal crash in Montville over the weekend, considering how over-reactionary this state tends to get.

[MadVlad]

As usual, our knee-jerk politicians will use this crash to grind to a halt this plan. People drink and kill other people during the day and early evening as well, maybe we shouldn't sell liquor then either, let prohibition reign!!!!

[Mike D]

The Blue Laws need to go. Stopping sales of alcohol in the evening isn't going to stop people from driving drunk or getting into fights.

Also, I agree on the idea of 4 AM districts in the larger cities.