Post by blackcrowheart on Dec 10, 2005 11:23:20 GMT -5
Native American Tribes Fail to Receive State Recognition
HARTFORD - The federal government's unwillingness to recognize additional Native American tribes in Connecticut has the Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots anticipating a $10 billion windfall.
Recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission reveal Mohegan Sun in Uncasville expects to make an extra $3.2 billion over the next several years because the historic Eastern Pequots and the Schaghticokes have failed to gain federal recognition. Seven miles away, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard expects to make an additional $6 billion.
The Mohegans and Mashantuckets have supported the Eastern Pequot and Schaghticoke efforts to gain recognition from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but played no role in the hearings. The State of Connecticut, which receives a $400 million-a-year cut of slot revenues, opposes further recognitions. More casinos would endanger the state's agreement with the existing ones. But Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who led the recognition fight against the Schaghticokes and Eastern Pequots, said the state's opposition had nothing to do with preserving the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods monopoly.
"I have never discussed the issue of a third casino with any of the leadership of either the Mashantuckets or the Mohegans," he said. "The reason is my position would be no different whatever they said."
Leaders of the Eastern Pequots and Schaghticokes have accused state officials of improperly working behind the scenes to undercut their efforts, and have asked the Interior Department's inspector general to investigate. The petitioning tribes have until early next year to appeal the BIA decisions in federal court.
While $10 billion, even over a number of years, is a lot of money, everything's relative, said Len Wolman, a partner in Trading Cove Associates, which financed Mohegan Sun. Mohegan Sun "is already doing a billion and a half annually," he said. "And Foxwoods is doing roughly the same. The two facilities are doing $3 billion a year now."
HARTFORD - The federal government's unwillingness to recognize additional Native American tribes in Connecticut has the Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots anticipating a $10 billion windfall.
Recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission reveal Mohegan Sun in Uncasville expects to make an extra $3.2 billion over the next several years because the historic Eastern Pequots and the Schaghticokes have failed to gain federal recognition. Seven miles away, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard expects to make an additional $6 billion.
The Mohegans and Mashantuckets have supported the Eastern Pequot and Schaghticoke efforts to gain recognition from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but played no role in the hearings. The State of Connecticut, which receives a $400 million-a-year cut of slot revenues, opposes further recognitions. More casinos would endanger the state's agreement with the existing ones. But Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who led the recognition fight against the Schaghticokes and Eastern Pequots, said the state's opposition had nothing to do with preserving the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods monopoly.
"I have never discussed the issue of a third casino with any of the leadership of either the Mashantuckets or the Mohegans," he said. "The reason is my position would be no different whatever they said."
Leaders of the Eastern Pequots and Schaghticokes have accused state officials of improperly working behind the scenes to undercut their efforts, and have asked the Interior Department's inspector general to investigate. The petitioning tribes have until early next year to appeal the BIA decisions in federal court.
While $10 billion, even over a number of years, is a lot of money, everything's relative, said Len Wolman, a partner in Trading Cove Associates, which financed Mohegan Sun. Mohegan Sun "is already doing a billion and a half annually," he said. "And Foxwoods is doing roughly the same. The two facilities are doing $3 billion a year now."