MGM Resorts International called Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes’ alliance “the result of an illegal and unfair gaming act.”
After hundreds of years of rivalry, Pequot and Mohegan tribes have signed an agreement last week to build a casino as a defense against out-of-state companies siphoning revenue from Connecticut.
The new satellite casino is expected to cost about $300m and to have about 2,000 slot machines and 150 table games.
A study commissioned by the tribes also projected a new casino could create about 6,000 jobs and generate $78m in taxes.
“This is a proud moment because it emphasizes how we are working for a common goal in mind: the welfare of Connecticut’s workforce,” said Butler.
“With our partnership solidified, we can begin the hard work of protecting both Connecticut jobs and the critically important revenue our organizations provide to the state,” said Brown. “Outside interests have made it perfectly clear that their business model depends on taking money and jobs from our state. We’re not going to let that happen without a fight.”
In reaction to the partnership, MGM Resorts International Executive Vice President Alan Feldman described Connecticut’s casino plans as illegitimate.
“Last week’s announcement was a continuation of an unconstitutional process that does not allow anyone else to make proposals that could result in greater benefits for the state of Connecticut, its residents and consumers,” Feldman said. “This is the result of a flawed, closed-door deal that shuts out voters in the approval process, eliminates all competition and doesn’t provide any protections for workers.”
The New Haven-based Pearce Real Estate has been selected to develop tribal’s casino plans and to accept proposals for the new location until the end of November, with the winning site will be selected early 2016.
