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Connecticut Town Pleased With New York Gambling Expansion

"On Thursday the town won out when New York state lawmakers authorized sales of the prized ticket in their state. The vote came on the heels of a summer in which Greenwich lost control of its treasured beaches and streets.

"The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in late July that Greenwich's residents-only beach policy was unconstitutional. Then thousands of New Yorkers and other out-of-state residents flocked to Greenwich, the first town over the New York border, for a shot at a Powerball jackpot as it grew to about $300 million.

"…`Conceivably all the Powerball people could have decided to go to the beach.' [said Glen Canner, an attorney who lives and works in town.]

"The beaches are now open to out of towners for a fee, but Greenwich finally won relief from Powerball crowds that have plagued the town for years.

"The New York State Assembly gave final legislative approval to a bill Thursday to allow New Yorkers to buy tickets to the big-money, multistate Powerball lottery.

"…While Greenwich has faced criticism as elitist, residents say they are not trying to keep people out. They just want visitors to respect a town they love.

"Not everyone is opposed to Powerball fever. Merchants who sell the tickets say they stand to lose a lot of business.

"A.J. Sheth, who owns Greenwich Cigar and Stationery near the train station, said most of his Powerball sales came from out-of-state players. Powerball players also bought lots of other merchandise and patronized nearby businesses in town, he said.

"…Some businesses, however, said they lost sales from regular customers who avoided areas inundated by Powerball fever…"

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