The third casino location in East Windsor, Connecticut is a subject of more discussions as three members of the Congressional delegation of the State have recently demanded more details around it. They want a public approval of the changes to the tribal compact that would allow Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods to jointly open a third casino in East Windsor.
Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Purphy, as well as Rep. Joe Courtney have come to the conclusion that the state should give more clarity to its position on the amended language in the compact between the tribes and the state of Connecticut to allow a third casino. They have turned to the Head of the US Department of the Interior as it is the case with the requests formerly issued by the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes. What the congressmen are interested in is receiving a formal statement regarding whether the individual agreements with Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun for sharing slot revenue would be affected in any way by the third casino venue.
At the moment the two Native American tribes operate under the agreement that is stated in the compacts. They state that the tribes can operate their venues under the condition that they pay 25 percent of the revenue amassed by slots with the state of Connecticut. There is also the agreement that the authorities of the state do not authorize an additional casino within the borders of the state. Officials announced that the third casino will be jointly run and the agreement would not in any way have an impact on the existing arrangements.
Demands for Answers
Last week brought the news that the two Native American tribes claimed to receive a definitive answer from the regulator since the opposite would not comply the Indian gaming laws. According to them if there is no decision issued, this is considered an approval. The officials from the regulator responded in their letter from 2nd November that the approval will mean that the third casino will not in any way affect the currently existing agreements. The Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a response on 15th September but in it there was neither approval nor rejection of the amendments to the agreements. The Congressmen demand that the letter is formally published by the Interior Department, and if that does not happen the tribes could press charges.
Meanwhile, East Windsor is preparing to welcome the new gambling facility and the partnering casino operators the Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohegans announced this Tuesday that the work on the new venue should begin by the end of this year. The first step in the preparation process is going to be the planned demolishing of the building of the former Showcase Cinemas off I-91. The new location is expected to maintain the job positions of many locals and provide others with a place to work. It is also going to retain the flow of casino players from straying to the soon-to-be-built gambling complex in Springfield.
