Connecticut Governor approved new casino
The governor has signed a bill that authorises the state tribal operators to build a casino in East Windsor to compete with MGM Springfield.
US.- Dannel Malloy, governor of Connecticut, has signed a bill that finally allows the tribal gaming company MMCT to build the state’s third casino in East Windsor, set to compete with the upcoming MGM casino in Springfield.
“Let there be no doubt that Massachusetts made a decision to do whatever they could to get as much gaming out of Connecticut and into their state. This was an appropriate response to what Massachusetts had done, and quite frankly what other states have done,” said Malloy. The Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribes, which run MMCT and were present during the signing of the bill, will manage the upcoming facility just off the Interstate 91 in East Windsor, almost 20 minutes away from MGM’s.
Mohegan Tribal Council Chairman Kevin Brown said at the signing ceremony that it should be about the region and the entire state of Connecticut, as masslive.com reported. “This has been about protecting Connecticut jobs and competing with Massachusetts,” he added.
On the other hand, Uri Clinton, MGM Senior Vice President and Legal Counsel, said that they continue to believe that the process put in place by the Legislature and signed yesterday by the Governor violates both the Connecticut and US Constitutions. “As such, we will continue to pursue all legal remedies. If the Senate bill were to ultimately become law, numerous national gaming operators – including MGM – would be precluded from offering a competitive bid for consideration. To shut down that opportunity would seem to be a disservice to Connecticut’s hardworking taxpayers,” he added.
