Connecticut tribes say revenue agreement could be at risk

The two federally recognised tribes said that the casino revenue-sharing agreements they have in place could be jeopardised with a new bill.

US.- Two chairmen of Connecticut’s two federally recognised tribes, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan, released a letter on Monday in which they said that the casino revenue-sharing agreements they have in place with the state could be at risk if lawmakers push with a modified bill.

The legislation would start a process that would lead to the end of the agreements, the leaders said. They believe that the bill would require the tribes to provide the state with 25 per cent of slot machine revenue generated at their two casinos, and in return they would get exclusive rights to operate video slots and casino games.

Last week, Attorney General George Jepsen advised legislators to consider and test the market for opening Connecticut to commercial casinos. He believes that commercial casinos would not jeopardise the US$160 million in slots revenue that the state expects to collect in 2018 from the exclusivity deal signed with the owners of Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino.