Connecticut tribes want online gambling regulation in favor of their casinos

Connecticut's Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes both spoke up about online gambling regulations and potential legislation at a forum with state legislators. NECN reports that the tribes' casinos (Foxwoods and Mohegan sun, respectively) and the state currently have agreements that grant the casinos exclusive rights to slot machines in exchange for 25 percent of the revenue.

If more gamblers are using online slots and gambling online instead of visiting land-based establishments, the casinos will not be paying as much money to the state. Last year, the two tribes paid about $359 million to Connecticut, according to CBS News. However, if the state decides to regulate online gambling and allow other vendors to offer their services, the tribes said that this would be considered a violation of their current agreement.

"The state should carefully consider the impact any legislation might have on its existing relationships with the tribes," Robert Clark, special counsel to the state attorney general, told CBS News.

Charles Bunnell, the chief of stall for external and governmental affairs for Mohegan Sun, explained to the news source that Connecticut should make a decision to either regulate on a state level or wait for national legislation on online gambling to become a reality.

Do you think Connecticut should enforce state laws? Would they be better off waiting to see what how federal government is going to handle online poker?

Published on 3 February 2012