NEW HAVEN (CelebrityAccess) — MGM Resorts International has asked a federal court to invalidate MMCT Venture, a partnership between the Native American tribes that operate the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos in Connecticut.
The partnership is seeking permission to build a third casino in Connecticut that would compete directly with the casino that MGM is building in Springfield, Mass., just over Connecticut's northern border.
In a court filing submitted this week to the U.S. District Court in New Haven, lawyers for MGM claim that the law authorizing the tribal partnership is unconstitutional and is seeking to have the court declare the law invalid, and for Connecticut's State Denise Merrill to revoke the partnership's registration as a business entity.
The State of Connecticut responded, asking the judge to dismiss MGM's lawsuit, noting that nothing stops MGM from developing a casino in Connecticut, noting that MGM's agreement with Mass for the Springfield casino includes a provision that blocks other gaming facilities from being built within 50 miles of the location.
"SA 15-7 in no way excludes MGM from moving forward with developing a casino in Connecticut," the state asserted in its motion. – Staff Writers
