Federal agency: 3rd Connecticut tribal casino wouldn’t violate state pact or federal gaming act

Mohegan Chairman Kevin Brown discusses the need for a third casino in Connecticut last year. Mohegan Chairman Kevin Brown discusses the need for a third casino in Connecticut last year. Photo: Christine Stuart File Photo Photo: Christine Stuart File Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Federal agency: 3rd Connecticut tribal casino wouldn’t violate state pact or federal gaming act 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The special act giving exclusive rights to build a third casino to two federally recognized Indian tribes would not violate any exclusivity arrangement they have in their gaming agreement with Connecticut or the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

“Our view is that the Tribe’s existing exclusivity arrangement would not be affected by a new state-authorized casino that is jointly and exclusively owned by the Tribe and Mashantucket,” Acting Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Lawrence S. Roberts, wrote in separate letters to the chairmen of Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes.

The tribes would have to seek an amendment to their compact with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in order to move forward with building a third casino in Connecticut.

The amendment the tribes are proposing would allow the two tribes to have different equity shares in the casino, but would not permit anyone except the two tribes to own any piece of the casino.

Roberts cautioned, however, that the letter “should not be construed as, a preliminary decision or advisory opinion regarding compacts or procedures.” The tribes will still need to get formal approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and they will still need legislation from the Connecticut General Assembly to move forward, but they see Roberts’ letter as a positive first step.

The tribes will use this language as the basis for a more complete package they will send to the General Assembly next year, said Andrew Doba, a spokesman for MMCT Venture.

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