Happy hour could be returning

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Senate's version of the bill allows casinos to offer free alcoholic drinks to patrons, something restaurants and bars in the state currently can't do.

If casinos come to Massachusetts, the state senate wants to even the playing field for other businesses. The Senate bill allows casinos to offer free drinks, and in return the Senate is backing a proposal to open the door for restaurants and bars to do the same. And that means happy hour could be making a comeback.

Eddie Grimaldi, the owner for Samuels Sports Bar and J. Quincy Restaurant in Springfield, says there are a lot of rules that come with a liquor license. Bars and restaurants in the state have been banned since the early 1980's from offering patrons drink specials, forcing many to resort to discounting other menu items, usually appetizers, to lure customers in.

But some restaurant and bar owners say there's a big difference between free drinks and discounted drinks, discounted drinks can be a great way to bring in customers but free drinks can be difficult to manage. "In a competition those are very sharp tools and in that kind of competition there's going to be collateral damage. If you're expected to compete at that level you're going to have some people that are fighting for their lives," said Grimaldi.

Just another debate to add to the long list of issues surrounding the casino proposal.