Connecticut tribes promise to maintain state slot revenue payments

According to the report made by the Hartford Courant newspaper, the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation have promised to keep making slot revenue payments to the state even if the federal government invalidates or alters their current compacts.

This decision was made as part of a strategy to gain legislative support to build Connecticut’s third casino. This expansion tries to dilute the competitive threat of a USD 950 million casino under construction in nearby Springfield.

Under the current compact, Connecticut receives 25% of all slot revenues generated at the Mohegan Sun and the Foxwoods Resort Casino in exchange for ensuring that the tribes retain the exclusive rights to offer casino gambling in the state. The tribes are seeking to update the original agreement with amendments that take into account the third casino.

Tribal leaders visited with legislative leaders in Hartford to reassure lawmakers they are confident the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs will approve the changes. But if the agency doesn't, the current, 25 percent share of slot revenue will still come to the state, they said.

Kevin Brown, the chairman of the Mohegan Tribe, and Rodney Butler, the chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, both said in a news conference at the Capitol that they are highly confident that the tribes will be backed by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

"In the history of the BIA, they never have revoked a compact,'' Butler said.

Legislative leaders said Thursday the guarantee from the tribes was a positive one, but it remains to be seen if any expansion bill passes in this session of the General Assembly.