MGM Resorts has launched a lawsuit against the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes regarding their decision to build a casino in East Windsor. MGM seeks to void a decision by the US Department of Interiors to allow the tribes’ joint venture, MMCT, to build and operate a casino on land that is not owned by the tribes under federally recognized exclusive heritage laws. It opted to file the lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia and not in Connecticut.
“Interior’s approval decisions establish an unlawful state-conferred monopoly over commercial gaming rights in Connecticut,” MGM Resorts noted in a statement issued with the filing of the lawsuit. “These decisions also stand in the way of an open, competitive process that MGM believes would result in a better deal for the people of Connecticut. An open process would allow the state to evaluate competing proposals and choose the operator that offers the best investment opportunity, creates the most new jobs and economic expansion and maximizes revenue to the state.”
Under current Connecticut laws, only these two tribes have the right to operate casinos. Efforts to expand the law to allow non-tribal companies such as MGM have been shot down. Nevertheless, MGM has in the past offered a proposal to open and operate a gambling mecca.
The tribes have been offered – and rejected – a proposal by Governor Ned Lamont to relinquish their plans to build a casino in East Windsor in exchange for perks such as exclusivity in Connecticut’s online sports betting industry and the Bridgeport casino license.
