East Windsor Casino Lands Federal Approval

EAST WINDSOR, CT - The U.S. Department of the Interior has given approval that will allow construction of an East Windsor casino to begin, The Hartford Courant reported.

MMCT Venture, a joint effort between the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribes, has claimed that the new casino will create 5,000 new jobs along with $8.5 million in annual revenue for the town.

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler today released a statement following the Department of Interior's decision to give final approval to the East Windsor casino project.

“Today is a great day for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the State of Connecticut, especially given our 400-year history together,” Butler said. “I applaud the actions of the Department of Interior and extend my sincerest gratitude to Assistant Secretary Tara Sweeny and the Office of the Solicitor at the Interior Department for their assistance in resolving this matter. Now that the approval of our Amendment is secured and our exclusivity agreement with the State of Connecticut is reaffirmed, we will move forward with construction on Tribal Winds Casino in East Windsor and preserve much needed jobs and revenue.”

State legislation recently passed the Public Safety and Security Committee to approve the East Windsor casino and a Bridgeport gambling facility, according to the Journal-Inquirer. The legislation also includes measures that would legalize sports betting and allow for online purchase of lottery tickets.