Connecticut Governor and Tribes Clash

Ned Lamont, Connecticut Governor, expressed support for a bill allowing multiple operators to offer sports betting in the state, putting him in a clash with the tribes that run Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino.

The bill provides Mohegan Tribe and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation sports wagering rights only on their reservations. The Connecticut Lottery and off-track-betting companies would be allowed to offer sports gambling elsewhere in the state.

The tribes, instead, support different legislation that provides them exclusive rights to sports wagering and other forms of online gambling., both on and off their reservations. That proposal also allows them to open a jointly run casino in Bridgeport.

The governor’s approach is simpler as it addresses sports gambling alone and excludes other online betting games and the Bridgeport casino, Max Reiss, a spokesman for Mr. Lamont, said. It is also more likely to be passed this year, Mr. Reiss declared.

Mr. Reiss said Tuesday, “It also builds upon the state’s existing partnership with the tribes, is more likely to withstand legal challenges from third party competitors and promotes a fair and competitive sports betting market outside the tribes’ reservations.”

Both tribes pushed back against the statement issued by the Lamont administration.

“Unfortunately, Governor Lamont appears to be saying that the state can either adopt his singular proposal on gaming or do nothing at all. That simply isn’t true. The Governor’s proposal would put both the tribal nations and the State of Connecticut in an untenable position, resulting in certain litigation”, chairman of the Mohegan Tribe James Gessner said.

During a public hearing on the matter Tuesday before the legislature’s Public Safety and Security Committee, Mashantucket Pequot Chairman Rodney Butler said allowing other operators a piece of sports betting would be a breach of the current agreements with the state that give the tribes exclusive rights to gambling in Connecticut.

Mr. Butler said., “We maintain that sports betting falls within our current exclusivity agreement with the state. While we appreciate that that may be a bone of contention for some, our position on that accord won’t change.”

If a law is passed allowing other operators to offer sports wagering, the tribes would no longer be obligated to provide the state with 25% of their slot take as per their current agreements, Mr. Butler said, which is about $250 million yearly.

Federal courts and agencies would ultimately have to step in for settling any dispute over the agreements, Mr. Butler said.

Mr. Butler told lawmakers that there is room for compromise as the positions of the tribes and the governor have left Connecticut deadlocked on sports betting for now.