Well the state and the tribes have always had a monopoly on "organized crime" since the 90's. So why would they want to let in an outside investor on this new sportsbook deal and share part of those profits. I know when I owned a 600 person music venue in Hartford I would have loved to install just slots and would've been happy to kick back some to the state, to help fund my venue and talent buy. But if I did I go to jail, even though it's already been established gambling isn't morally wrong.
So keep out the competition. People always talk about concerts, events etc., but one of side things the state did for the tribes is give them a revenue source that private / other venues can't compete with. So they can book talent for 3 times + what another promoter can pay because they can comp the event away / figure it in to their break even ( gambling profits). So it closed down alot of CT venues. I remember seeing a Reggae band at Toad's Place on Friday for $30. The next night the same band was a free event at the Mohegan. Hooray for the tribes at the same time as screwing over private money on shows at other venues, including even the XL Center/ promoters.