Has Mohegan Sun Casino Improved Montville?

On Oct. 12, 1996, Mohegan Sun Casino opened on a Native American reservation just outside of Uncasville. And with that opening, Montville changed forever.

On one hand, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest casinos in the United States and employees approximately 10,000 people. It is a massive tourism attraction, offers a variety of shops, restaurants and bars, is the home of a WNBA team and brings high-end entertainment to an area that would otherwise never attract such high-end entertainment 

On the other hand, the casino has increased traffic and many have complained the casino has required more services from the Town of Montville, meaning more costs from town taxpayers. Others have also argued that gambling attracts criminals and people have become criminals to pay for their gambling addictions.

Last week, we posted a question on Montville Patch’s Facebook page, asking if residents think it has helped or hurt the town. As expected, the reaction as mixed. Here are some of the responses to our question:

Jennifer Kolodzieiski: "I think it's ruined Montville.. I miss the country town that I grew up in."

Pattie Keffer Racicot: "Lots of jobs. And a great way to see concerts. Good place to eat out. And do some window shopping. It's called progress people."

Kimberly Rennie: "I think it has ruined the town. Our neighborhood is now overrun with people that do not maintain their properties. Many single family homes are used as apartments with six or more cars at one home-none parked in the driveways, but all over the front lawn or all in the street. (Even during the snowstorms--often causing the streets to be poorly plowed around those cars.) However, I feel like the town is letting us down as well, failing time after time to pass blight laws, ordinances that restrict people converting non-living areas of the homes into rooms and not doing something about the cars that remain in the street snowstorm after snowstorm."

Paula Kenney: "helped. i'm enjoying montville more than when i moved here in 1970."

Heather Crouch Browne: "I have nothing against any of the Mohegan tribe, but I grew up in a small town, and all I have seen since this casino went in is the decline of small businesses in town, and more traffic and crime. I feel like the schools are now heading downhill too. This is not the proud town I grew up in!"

Myke Conroy: "I think it's great i just won 330$ the other day leave it alone lol"

Do you think Mohegan Sun Casino has helped or hurt Montville?