Battle brews over keno proposal in Connecticut

Tuesday, June 2, 2009  

Connecticut's two federally recognized tribes are staying on the sidelines as the state considers a proposal to offer keno.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R) said keno games could bring in another $60 million to the Connecticut Lottery. But Attorney General Richard Blumenthal warned the game could threaten $400 million in slot machine revenues the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation share with the state under the Class III gaming compact.

"Without an agreement with the tribes, or clarity in legal impact, the state is gambling more than $400 million for the sake of barely $60 million," Blumenthal said in a statement quoted by The Hartford Courant. "Because rulings are divided and details are lacking, and there are different types of keno games, we cannot predict what courts would conclude."

Blumenthal said the state will have to renegotiate the compact to address keno. The tribes, however, are reserving comment on the issue until they get more information.

Get the Story:
Blumenthal Warns Keno Could Imperil State's Slot Revenues (The New London Day 6/2)
Blumenthal Says Keno Might Violate State's Agreements With Indian Casinos (The Hartford Courant 6/2)
Conn. AG urges changes before allowing Keno (Lottery Post 6/2)