Democratic leaders endorsed legislation that would give the state’s two federally recognized tribes exclusive rights to take bets on sports, open a casino in Bridgeport and offer a broad array of virtual casino games on smart phones and computers.
casino expansion
Posted inMoney
MGM suit takes new tactic to blocking tribes
The aims of the new suit by MGM are broader than stopping a competing tribal casino in East Windsor: It questions their ability to conduct any off-reservation gambling in Connecticut.
Posted inPolitics
With impact study, Pequots ramp up lobbying push
No one doubts they are an economic player. But the Mashantucket Pequots are making the case anyway.
Posted inPolitics
Tribal ally tries to break stalemate over gambling expansion
A senator with many constituents employed by the tribal casinos made her move to nudge the governor into action on sports betting and casino expansion.
Posted inPolitics
Administration says Ganim’s casino pitch ‘a really bad deal’
Forget a casino deal for Bridgeport on the final day of 2019 session. But in a special session? Stay tuned.
Posted inPolitics
Ganim pitches sweet deal for tribes to open Bridgeport casino
Mayor Joe Ganim wants $100 million in public financing and exclusive online gambling rights for the tribes if they bring a casino to Bridgeport.
Posted inPolitics
Trump official reconsiders, OK’s casino in East Windsor
A terse notice posted by the Department of Interior on its web site at 11:15 a.m. gives no rationale for the reversal, saying only that after “further consultations with the Tribe,” the East Windsor gambling amendment is approved.
Posted inPolitics
Is Connecticut ready for iLottery?
The technology exists to offer lottery tickets on your phone. Next week, a legislative committee will debate if Connecticut is ready to use it.
Posted inPolitics
Tribes say East Windsor casino is viable and necessary
Tribal leaders told lawmakers Tuesday that the East Windsor casino is still necessary to compete with MGM Springfield, despite softer-than-expected business in Springfield.
Posted inPolitics
Lamont seeks path around ‘legal mud’ of gambling wars
The drama over the expansion and control of legal gambling in Connecticut enters its fifth season, a convoluted story in search of an ending.
Posted inJustice
D.C. judge deals setback to East Windsor casino
A federal judge dealt a significant blow over the weekend to the ability of the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribal nations to jointly build a casino in East Windsor that would compete with MGM Resorts’ new casino in nearby Springfield.
Posted inNews
Interior relents on Connecticut casino deal
Without explanation, the Department of Interior said Thursday it has reversed course and is accepting at least one of the two gambling amendments necessary for the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to jointly construct a casino in East Windsor. The tribes still face obstacles, including a promised legal challenge by its competitor, MGM.
Posted inJustice
New AG opinion a blow to tribes’ East Windsor casino
Attorney General George Jepsen strongly warned the legislature Tuesday against allowing the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to jointly develop a casino in East Windsor without the approval of the U.S. Interior Department, a condition of the 2017 law permitting the project to compete with MGM Springfield. The opinion is likely to be the final blow in this legislative session to any hopes by the tribes to circumvent the requirement for Interior Department approval.
Posted inJustice
AG: Initial step to MGM casino would not jeopardize tribal deal
Attorney General George Jepsen advised legislators Thursday that the state could take a tentative step toward testing the market for opening Connecticut to commercial casinos without immediately jeopardizing $260 million in slots revenue the state expects to collect this year under an exclusivity deal with the tribal owners of Foxwoods Resort Casino and the Mohegan Sun.
Posted inPolitics
Legislators buck Senate co-chairs, keep casino expansion alive
An 11th-hour uprising by rank-and-file members of a legislative committee Thursday resurrected an issue that two Senate co-chairs seemed to have tabled for 2018: Should the state be opened to competition for a commercial casino in Bridgeport, as proposed by MGM Resorts International in its long war with two tribal competitors, the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods?