CT Governor, Senate Pick Sides In East Windsor Casino Battle

The bill for a third Connecticut casino in East Windsor has successfully passed through the state Senate. However, it is unlikely to receive approval from the House in the near future.

Connecticut may encounter legal action from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation in addition to the pending lawsuit from MGM Resorts, as the bill addresses a new opponent.

This challenging predicament is continuously becoming increasingly intricate. Here is the most recent update.

Senate approves East Windsor casino plan

A bill for the establishment of a third casino in East Windsor, CT was approved by the Senate last week with a vote of 24-12. This measure grants permission for the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to jointly own and operate the new casino.

The tribes advocated for that particular site as a means to rival the upcoming MGM Springfield casino in Massachusetts, which is located just 23 miles away from East Windsor. This move is anticipated to significantly impact the profits of the already established CT casinos, namely Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort and Casino.

Lawmakers in the House are already indicating concerns as the bill proceeds to the next step.

West Hartford Representative Joe Verrengia stated that the issue at hand is highly intricate, with various conflicting interests and a significant financial aspect involved, making the political aspect of it quite chaotic.

MGM and new tribe fighting the CT casino in court

The problem arises from the fact that the bill grants the two tribes the right to a casino without undergoing any formal bidding process involving external parties.

MGM has already taken legal action against the state, claiming that businesses were unfairly excluded from bidding on a casino. Earlier this year, the Connecticut Attorney General publicly stated that the state’s East Windsor plan could potentially lead to legal consequences.

A new lawsuit is looming over the state as another tribe expresses its intention to take legal action. The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, located in Kent, CT, recently addressed the media following the passage of a bill. This tribe also desires to establish a casino within the state but has encountered obstacles thus far. Representatives of the Schaghticoke tribe clarified that they would be compelled to file a lawsuit if a third casino is awarded to tribes with current casino operations, without any fair competition through bidding.

Chief Richard Velky from the Schaghticoke tribe provides an explanation:

By opting for a closed casino expansion process, Connecticut becomes dependent on an unreliable funding source that is expected to decline steadily even under the most favorable circumstances. If the people of Connecticut desire a more favorable agreement and a proposal that is financially sustainable, it is not only morally correct but also financially responsible to adopt an open and competitive process.

CT Governor supports Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan

The CT House is being influenced by multiple factors that are motivating the group to approve the bill. These factors include the Schaghticoke Tribe, MGM Resorts, and the potential for expensive legal consequences.

Additionally, there exists a faction of legislators who oppose the idea of increasing the number of casinos in the state. Moreover, certain local representatives are making efforts to safeguard off-track gaming ventures, which might face challenges in competing with an additional casino.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy is a lawmaker who supports the establishment of a third major casino. His office publicly expressed their endorsement for the East Windsor project following the Senate vote.

A spokesperson emphasized the importance of the legislature’s commitment to preserving the state’s enduring alliance with the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribal nations, as well as safeguarding employment opportunities.

The photo credit goes to Andrew Cline from Shutterstock.com.