Tribes Get Closer To Third Casino

HARTFORD, CT — Bookended by the two tribal chairmen, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy ceremonially signed legislation that allows the tribes to move forward with plans for an East Windsor casino.

Malloy had actually signed the legislation into law three weeks ago, but he did take a new step on Thursday when he signed documents amending the memorandums of understanding the state has with the two tribes. Those MOU’s detail the revenue sharing agreement between the two governments.

The General Assembly will be expected to sign off on the new MOU’s with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations. Once the General Assembly signs off on the new agreements, then they will go to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for approval.

Under the legislation, the East Windsor casino would pay a 25-percent tax to the state on both its slot machines and table games. The tribes are also expected to make a $30 million payment to the state for permission to operate the casino. The payment is to be divided among Connecticut’s largest cities — a provision that was added in order to win the support of the cities’ lawmakers for the underlying bill.

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