Connecticut continues with casino plan
The Connecticut native tribes confirmed plans to install a new casino in the State are still on.
US.- MGM casino rival in Connecticut is still under construction, as confirmed this week by the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes. However, the local press began to suggest that the project was not moving forward as the casino land in the Interstate 91 in East Windsor has not been modified yet.
“We’re putting in the time and care necessary for a successful venture,” said the casino spokesman Andrew Doba last Wednesday to the Connecticut CBS newspaper. “This means a lot to both tribes and we want to get it right.”
The joint venture by the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes is developing a gaming venue in Connecticut. The tribal joint venture pushed for its third casino to be operated on non-tribal lands in order to compete with the MGM Springfield across the border in Massachusetts, which is close to opening day as it has been set for this year. However, MGM argues that the law benefits the tribes and runs contrary to the US Constitution’s Equal Protection and Commerce clauses.
Meanwhile, US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy along with Rep. Joe Courtney sent a letter to the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke asking him to take action on a request to recognise the amendments to the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nation’s compacts with the state of Connecticut.
The tribes want the amendment to be recognised in order to clear all questions regarding a casino off tribal land in East Windsor: they want to make sure that the facility won’t violate the current compacts with the state, as the ones that they operate are located on tribal land and fall under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
