Connecticut | Opinion

Column: Another tribal casino in Connecticut is a 'no-brainer'

Friday, August 7, 2015

MGM Resorts International broke ground on an $800 million casino in Springfield, Massachusetts, in March but an opening is two or even three years down the line. Photo from MGM

Columnist David Collins encourages officials in Connecticut to defend a new state law that paves the way for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe to open a new casino:

If there was any doubt that MGM Resorts, developer of a new casino in Springfield, Mass., is worried about plans for a proposed tribal border casino in Connecticut, the big gambling company proved it this week with a federal lawsuit aimed at stopping the Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots.
The action emphasizes the point that Connecticut needs to be vigilant in pursuing a new casino that would help stop the flow of jobs and gambling dollars over the border to an MGM casino in Massachusetts.
The chosen Massachusetts casino developers have made no secret of the fact they plan to rob the gambling coffers across the state line, and now they are aggressively covering their bets with a federal lawsuit.
It's a siren call for Attorney General George Jepsen, who now must defend the new Connecticut legislation that allows the tribes to begin planning for a jointly-run third Connecticut casino, one not on reservation land.

Get the Story:
David Collins: Let MGM bid on a new casino (The New London Day 8/7)

Also Today:
Mohegans take step to lower debt costs (The New London Day 8/7)