The $900 million MGM Grand Casino broke ground today in Springfield. Here’s the response from Connecticut’s Indian tribes.
“Statement of Mohegan Chairman Kevin Brown and Mashantucket Pequot Chairman Rodney Butler on today’s groundbreaking in Springfield for a gaming resort there.
“We have been enormously encouraged by the support from across the state for a proposal to allow Connecticut’s casinos to directly compete with the planned Springfield resort. In the weeks since legislative leaders announced the proposed bill, lawmakers have been open to understanding the potentially devastating impact a gaming resort on the state’s borders could have on jobs here, and voted to move the bill forward. Today, competition on our borders is a reality, and we are grateful for the leaders of the General Assembly, who understand the economic threat, and are taking steps to protect the thousands of Connecticut jobs that will be lost in 2017 if no action is taken.”