MGM interested in Connecticut casino
The casino company MGM expressed its interest in building a casino in Connecticut as the state is considering allowing a third gambling venue.
US.- Connecticut legislators carried out a meeting to debate the possibility of expanding gambling in the state by allowing the construction of a third casino. Even if the industry is currently operated by native tribes, MGM expressed its interest in competing for a license.
Both Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have the exclusive control of the gambling market in Connecticut, and they’re currently seeking the permission to build a casino off tribal land in the north of the state in East Windsor. The latest gaming venue would directly compete with neighbor MGM Resort International’s US$950 million casino in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegans said that a new casino would protect the regional economy and would generate 1,700 construction jobs and over 1,700 permanent casino jobs.
A third native tribe said that letting commercial developers to build a casino in the state could be beneficial for the economy of Connecticut. Richard Velky, the Chief of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, said: “Studies show us from southwestern Connecticut that it has five times the value that East Windsor does; and are we going to do this for any individual group or are we doing this for the citizens and the state of Connecticut.”
As the debate continued, an MGM Resorts International representative said that the Connecticut casino would not compete with them or the casino in Springfield, but it would be head to head with the New York market: “Yes. MGM is interested in having access to the New York market and right now that path is through this bill,” said Uri Clinton.
