MGM Resorts International announced that they plan to impede?Connecticut’s plans for a third tribal operated casino.?MGM Resorts is building a casino resort in Springfield, Massachusetts, and believes a new tribal casino in Connecticut will increase competition. Dan Malloy, the Connecticut Governor, already signed a bill in June to permit the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes to speak with municipalities regarding their third casino project.
The President of MGM, William Hornbuckle stated, “We’re not going to go peacefully and MGM is contemplating our options.”
Hornbuckle did not elaborate on the types of plans they have to try to stop a third tribal casino from being approved. The competition is heating up in the casino business with new markets. The markets only have a modest amount to grow, but current?competition is making it close to saturated already.
The Pequot tribe runs Foxwoods Resort located in Mashantucket. ?The Mohegans run the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, also in Connecticut. MGM is spending $800 million to build a casino and entertainment facility in Springfield. MA. They are requesting permission from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to open the facility in 2018.
Connecticut has seen recent losses with new builds in New York and other US states. A third casino is only an option for the two tribes and not for other competition like MGM.
Robert Soper, the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority president, said the Connecticut casino law to expand is “defensive” and he believes they can open a new resort before the MGM location.