Bridgeport casino proponents vowed to return to Connecticut’s state capitol next year and prod lawmakers to pass a bill that would allow casino operators to compete in an open license bidding process.

The Hartford Courant reported that the casino backers have already started their campaign to allow the opening of $675 Million MGM resort casino on the Bridgeport waterfront just a week after the state senate decided to shelve the bill.

Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim led lawmakers and Bridgeport casino supporters in a gathering at the office of Bridgeport Landing Development on Tuesday as they celebrated their ‘win’ in the General Assembly, even though they failed to muster enough support in the Senate.

Ganim, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, said their victory in the lower chamber of Congress is huge since it is the first time in 25 years that any piece of gaming legislation has gotten out of the House chamber.