MGM eyes Connecticut casino

MGM is specifically interested in Fairfield County, possibly Bridgeport.

Until now, Connecticut has been negotiating with the existing Native American tribes who already operate two casinos in the state. The Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes have proposed a joint venture casino be built in East Windsor, about 20 minutes from Springfield. There has been criticism that their proposed location is not Native American land. It’s location, between Hartford and Springfield, has been chosen so that they can directly compete with MGM. Their goal is to protect their revenue and protect jobs from being lost at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.

This new bill would open the competition to commercial developers, such as MGM, who could propose developments elsewhere in the state, providing the developer can pay a non-refundable $50-million to the state for a licensing fee. They would also have to agree that their casino development would represent a total investment of no less than $500-million.

MGM says if they build a Connecticut casino in Fairfield County, they would not be competing with themselves. The casino operator is more interested in tapping into the New York gaming market.