Senate Votes in Favour of MMCT

The battle between MGM and MMCT is finally over after the senate passed the bill that will see the first tribal casino established in East Windsor.

Dannel Malloy, the Connecticut governor also assented to the bill into a law that will see MMCT establish the third gaming casino in the state.

The MMCT bid to establish a casino had earlier been challenged by MGM Springfield that is set to open in 2018 and is already under construction. MGM appears to be determined to keep off any competitors on their way. The latter had tried to secure a casino in Connecticut with no success.

However, MGM will not rest and has vowed to continue challenging the move in a court of law. This is despite the massive support the MMCT has got with the lawmakers voting a 27-8 in their favor. MGM argued that other possible operators should have been given the chance to invest in Connecticut instead of the two tribes who seem to be dominating the sector.

The government has signed a memorandum of understanding between the tribes of Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohegans. The Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs is set to sign the MOU in an unknown date. This will enhance a smooth establishment of the MMCT casino.

MMCT is set to compete with MGM which is across the Massachusetts border. It is also aimed at protecting Connecticut’s jobs and revenue. According to MMCT, this is also a measure aimed at bettering the state’s economy.
MGM has all along been criticizing the move terming it as giving MMCT unfair monopoly in the gaming sector. The latter also owns the Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun which is among the world’s top most gaming resorts. However, there is an agreement between the two tribes who jointly own MMCT not to compromise the state revenue sharing with their already established two companies. The two tribes usually pay 25% yearly to Connecticut of their gross slots.

MGM had alleged that MMCT had violated their rights and that their establishment of a casino in East Windsor would cause competitive harm to them. The court, however, ruled that MGM showed no concrete plans to construct a casino at Connecticut and their suit was thus dismissed. MGM had advised a casino be established in the South West region of the state far away from their Springfield establishment.

The local community of East Windsor community had already granted MMCT approval to construct the casino which is also an advantage to the two tribes.

The win on for the MMCT has brought celebrations to the two tribes and it is the only time that will tell what will happen next given that MGM is still not ready to accept the decision by the senate and continue to feel threatened by their opponents. MGM is bound to face stiff competition from MMCT once both companies are established. This is however subject to whether the court may rule otherwise in case MGM continues to pursue legal measures against their opponents.