Lawmaker wants donors to pay for UConn’s exit from AAC Lawsuit claims MGM Springfield cheating gamblers of winnings

Hartford (AP) — The top Republican in Connecticut’s Senate wants private donors to pick up the cost of UConn’s departure from the American Athletic Conference.

Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano wrote on Wednesday to the school’s new president, Tom Katsouleas, urging him to have the UConn Foundation pick up $20.5 million tab and not students or taxpayers.

The school has said no tuition or state appropriated funds will be used to pay $17 million exit fee to the AAC and a $3.5 million entrance fee to rejoin the Big East for the 202021 school year. The exit fee must be paid in full by 2026.

UConn has said it plans to use the school’s share of AAC revenue from 2019 and 2020 to help pay the fee, along with money generated from sources such as athletics, dining, housing and parking.

Springfield, Mass. (AP) — A second class action lawsuit is challenging how a Massachusetts casino pays out gamblers for winning at blackjack.

The lawsuit filed by Holyoke lawyer Shawn Allyn argues that MGM Springfield is paying less than state regulations permit for winning hands at some of its blackjack tables, leading to increased profits for the company. It was filed Monday in Hampden Superior Court.

A suit making similar claims was filed against Wynn Resorts’ Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett earlier this month.

MGM says it’s confident the latest lawsuit will be found to have no merit because its nearly year-old resort complies with all regulations.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission says it’s reviewing the suit. The panel’s preliminary investigation into Encore Boston Harbor found the company was complying with state blackjack regulations.