Connecticut Indian Tribes believe no study is needed for gambling industry of the state

The tribes would like to build a casino located between Hartford and Springfield but have come up against some opposition as other entities think they are better suited for the third casino license.

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The Schaghitcoke Tribe has partnered with MGM Resorts to challenge a law that will allow the Mohegans and Mashantuckets to create the third casino in the state. A study was rendered by MGM which found that the casino should be created in the southwestern portion of the state and not in the north western portion.

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A legislative committee held a meeting to discuss the gambling industry of the state and the tribes came forward stating that another study on the subject is not the answer. Mashantucket Tribal Council member, Rodney Butler, stated that thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues are going to be lost by the state as players head to nearby Springfield across state lines to take part in gaming, so analysis is not needed further. In Springfield, Massachusetts, MGM Resorts is creating a property with a $950 million price tag.

Both tribes feel that a casino located just north of Hartford would help to keep gamblers within the state who would normally cross the border to take part in gaming at MGM Springfield. Mohegan Tribe Council Chair, Kevin Brown, stated that history is in their favor on this as some would say jobs were lost due to the declining industry when the real reason jobs were lost is due to two decades of the state failing to respond to competition.

On the other side of things, the Schaghitcoke Tribe has partnered with MGM Resorts to challenge a law that will allow the Mohegans and Mashantuckets to create the third casino in the state. A study was rendered by MGM which found that the casino should be created in the southwestern portion of the state and not in the north western portion.

MGM believes that there is a significant opportunity for the Southwestern area in Connecticut and it would be in the best interest of the state to replace the current law with a process that will allow fair competition among bidders. The Schaghiticoke Tribe felt they were cut out from even being able to try and gain access to the third casino license.