Tribes release a federal letter of support

The federal government of the United States may support new tribal casino in Connecticut.

US.- The approval of a third casino in Connecticut is under discussion as MGM is opening a mega touristic venue in the neighboring state of Massachusetts but local authorities have not drafted yet the expected legislation. Meanwhile, a representative of the Department of the Interior said Donald Trump’s government will maintain the previous administration’s advice in regards of expanding tribal gaming venues.

“We confirm that the current Administration supports the views expressed in the technical assistance letter,” told the CT Mirror James E. Cason, the acting deputy secretary of the Interior, a department that includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Last year’s letter confirmed that a third casino directed by both local native tribes, Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan, would be able to respect the agreement signed by the tribes and the state’s government.

Currently, the federally recognised tribes operate the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun resorts and casino under a revenue-sharing deal with the government of Connecticut. A joint venture between the native nations, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes (MMCT), is planning to expand its business to East Windsor in order to compete with the major MGM project in Springfield, which may lead to economic losses in Connecticut.

The letter, nevertheless, does not assure an instant approval of a third casino project in the state, as the official legislation should be soon delivered by the local congress and approved by the state’s government. Furthermore, the Department of the Interior also must pass the bill. Meanwhile, Connecticut’s administration has not decided whether the new casino would be operated by the MMCT or by another company.