Connecticut AG cites authority over tribal casinos

Friday, March 14, 2008  

Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal says the state Legislature has the authority to ban smoking at tribal casinos.

In a formal opinion, Blumenthal says the tribes, through their Class III gaming compact, agreed to abide by health and safety standards that are at least as stringent as the state's. Though he says the Legislature could extend the state's public smoking ban to the casinos, he is urging the tribes and the state to negotiate......

"The compacts provide for enforcement generally of their provisions through action in federal court, but my strong hope is that discussions with the tribes will lead to agreements extending the smoking ban to gaming facilities without a court dispute," Blumenthal said in a statement.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, owners of the Foxwoods Resort Casino, and the Mohegan Tribe, owners of the Mohegan Sun Casino, say the state can't impose its laws on their reservations. They are opposing a bill in the Legislature that would bar smoking in areas of the casinos that sell liquor.

Get the Story:
Blumenthal: Casino smoking ban OK (The Norwich Bulletin 3/14)
Talks On Casino Smoking Urged (The Hartford Courant 3/14)
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Blumenthal: Casino can be made smokeless (The Connecticut Post 3/14)
Attorney General Says State Can Ban Smoking in Indian Casinos (The New London Day 3/14)
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An Opinion:
Our View: Cigarette ban a health issue for casino workers (The Norwich Bulletin 3/14)