Perspectives: Tribal gaming in Connecticut

Monday, June 25, 2007

The New London Day publishes three perspectives on the impact of tribal gaming in Connecticut.

Charlene Jones, a council member for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, says the tribe is committed to the state. Though the tribe has contributed $2.5 billion in gaming revenues, she says charitable contributions are also a priority.

"We estimate that over the last 15 years, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation has given $85 million to charities. If you add in-kind donations, that amount increases to $100 million. Most of the recipients are within a 60-mile radius of our reservation. We demonstrate that, truly, charity must start at home," she says.

Lynn Malerba, the vice chairwoman of the Mohegan Tribe, says gaming has more than just a financial impact. She cites the use of revenues to improve health, housing and other services for tribal members.

"By virtue of supporting our tribal members, we not only free up funding at the local and state level for the benefit of other Connecticut citizens, we enhance their ability to contribute their talents to the community as well as contribute to the tax base of their resident towns," she says.

Susan B. Mendenhall, the mayor of Ledyard, says tribal casinos helped stabilize the economy after massive layoffs in several industries. " With people employed, the area was spared enormous unemployment and residential foreclosures," she recalls.

But there are other impacts that must be addressed, she says. She supports a bill to redirect more gaming revenues to the towns nearest to the two casinos.

The Foxwoods Resort Casino, owned by the Mashantuckets, and the Mohegan Sun Casino are the largest in the world and are only getting bigger with ongoing expansion projects. "By 2010, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes will have completed an additional $1.5 billion in new construction at their resort casino destinations, adding 2,000 more hotel rooms, 2,500 new slot machines, additional table games, sports attractions, and numerous other music, entertainment and shopping venues," Ann Baldelli of The Day writes.

Get the Story:
Charlene Jones: Gaming Just The Fiscal Engine To Drive Region-Wide Benefits (The New London Day 6/24)
pwday
Lynn Malerba: The Tribes Share The Wealth in Many Often-Subtle Ways (The New London Day 6/24)
Susan B. Mendenhall : 'Stop Talking And Get Doing' (The New London Day 6/24)

Also See:
Ann Baldelli: An Old Friend Becomes New Competitor (The New London Day 6/24)
The High Rollers (The New London Day 6/24)