Tribes, Lawmakers Discuss Possible New Casinos

The two tribes that own Connecticut's casino resorts are holding discussions with state lawmakers about opening new casinos as they contend with growing competition in Massachusetts and New York.

Representatives from the Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequots have been meeting with state lawmakers to craft a bill for consideration this year to authorize new gambling halls. The two tribes currently have the exclusive rights to offer casino-style gambling in Connecticut under an agreement that provides the state with 25 percent of slot-machine revenue.

Kevin Brown, the Mohegans' chairman, said Thursday there are several highways connecting Connecticut with neighboring states and those would be obvious places to open facilities to "intercept any sort of convenience gamer."

Brown spoke at news conference on plans for a new hotel at Mohegan Sun.