“The choice for Connecticut policymakers can’t get any clearer,” he said. “It has always been my intention to develop a comprehensive gaming platform that not only strengthened Connecticut’s gaming industry, but protected it from litigation.”Īndrew Doba, a spokesman for the joint venture between the Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots, said, “MGM pursues litigation because that’s what MGM does.” “As I have consistently said, our state needs to reach a global gaming resolution that will avoid years and years of complex litigation,” he said in a statement. Ned Lamont said he is seeking a solution that avoids lawsuits challenging legislation. MGM asked the court to reverse Interior’s decision and declare that Interior acted beyond its authority.Ī spokeswoman said the Department of Interior will not comment on litigation. “The amendments thus confer a statewide, perpetual competitive advantage on the joint venture,” MGM said. The prospect of a tribal-operated casino in Bridgeport also spurred MGM: It cited state legislation filed last week favoring a tribal casino in Bridgeport, which is near the sizable and lucrative New York City and Long Island markets.Ĭhanges by Interior to the compact between Connecticut and the tribes “facilitate commercial, off-reservation gaming by the tribal joint venture anywhere in Connecticut and state legislators have recently proposed granting the joint venture an exclusive, no-bid license to operate a casino in Bridgeport, Connecticut,” MGM said.

MGM has operated a casino in Springfield since August 2018 and is trying to block an additional casino in Connecticut.

Interior Department, accusing it of approving changes to the state’s compact with the Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots that allow the tribes to operate, without competition, a casino in East Windsor. The battle over expanded gambling in Connecticut took a new turn Wednesday when MGM Resorts sued the U.S.

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