US Interior Department: Third Connecticut casino would not alter revenue agreement

In a letter to the chairmen of the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, the US Interior Department said the change in presidential administrations — from Barack Obama to Donald Trump — does not change the department's position.

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Deputy secretary of the interior James E. Casonsaid the letter should not be viewed as preliminary approval of the third casino plan.

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He pointed out the expansion proposal has not been formally submitted to the interior department. A proposal cannot be made until the legislature decides whether to back the tribes or open up the process to more potential operators.

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The tribes pointed to the letter as a boost for their expansion plans.

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The opening of a satellite casino in East Windsor is intended to dilute the affect of MGM Resort International's USD 950M casino and entertainment complex in Springfield, now under construction.

"We've acted in good faith for the last two years," said Kevin Brown, chairman of the Mohegan Tribe. "We've done all the hard work of selecting a site, and are proud to have a staunch ally in the town of East Windsor. With this important confirmation in hand, we urge everyone in the legislature to stand with us as we stand up and fight for Connecticut jobs."