Casino Stalker | Connecticut | Litigation

Connecticut tribes release request for proposals for a new casino

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Mohegan Tribe Chairman Kevin Brown, left, and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Chairman Rodney Butler. Photo by Christopher Keating / Hartford Courant / Twitter

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe are moving forward with plans for a new casino in Connecticut.

Through their new entity MMCT Venture, the two tribes released a request for proposals for communities that are interested in hosting the development. The document sticks to an aggressive timeline -- the deadline to submit is November 6 and the tribes anticipate picking a host community by December 15.

"It is with a deep sense of the history of this moment that our two nations move forward on this joint venture to protect the jobs, revenue and partnership we have enjoyed with the state of Connecticut for over twenty years," the RFP reads. "We take very seriously our responsibility to deliver a first rate, sustainable project to our home state, and we believe fundamentally that all interested communities and their leaders will share this commitment with us."

The New England Casino Race: Tribal and commercial gaming facilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island

If the tribes stick to their schedule, they plan to ask the Connecticut Legislature early next year to approve the casino. They could conceivably open a new facility by the end of 2016 or in early 2017, well ahead of a rival non-Indian facility in neighboring Massachusetts.

MGM Resorts International broke ground on an $800 million casino in downtown Springfield, just a few miles from the state line, in March but an opening isn't expected until September 2018, a year behind the original schedule. The company also recently revised plans for a hotel at the site, stirring criticism about its intentions.

Additionally, the company is suing the state of Connecticut, arguing that Senate Bill 1090 is unconstitutional because it essentially limits the new casino to the tribes. The state is seeking to dismiss the complaint, noting that MGM isn't allowed to pursue a development within 50 miles of Springfield for a period of 10 years under the license issued in Massachusetts.

Pearce Real Estate will be handling inquiries from potential hosts and posting replies on its website.

Get the Story:
Tribes' Hurried Search For Hartford-Area Casino Site: Broad Statements, Few Details (The Hartford Courant 10/1)
Connecticut tribes taking proposals for 3rd casino (WWLP 10/1)
Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot tribes release request for proposals for Connecticut casino expected to compete with MGM Springfield (MassLive 10/1)
Tribes to release request for casino proposals (The New London Day 10/1)