Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff says he expects the Senate will pass legislation to begin a two-step process for opening a new tribal casino in Connecticut.
The Democrat said there is enough support in the Senate to pass the bill. A vote was expected Wednesday.
According to the proposal, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes would issue a request for proposals to municipalities interested in possibly hosting the new gambling facility. Any development reached between the tribes and host community would have to hinge on action by the General Assembly, likely next year.
Lawmakers eventually would have to also authorize casino gambling in Connecticut. The existing casinos are located on sovereign tribal land.
The new bill limits the tribes to opening one casino to help combat gambling competition from Massachusetts.
