A key legislative committee advanced a bill yesterday that would allow the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to build a third casino. The bill now moves to the Senate for further action. An alternative proposal being considered would create a competitive bidding process, and is supported by the Kent-based Schaghticoke Tribal Nation.
Chief Richard Velky says a fair and open process is needed.
The Schaghticokes are not federally recognized and want to open a commercial casino on non-tribal land. If they were federally recognized, like the Mashantuckets and the Mohegans, the Schaghticokes would be able to have a federally regulated tribal casino on their Kent reservation.