Sports betting has gotten all the attention from state legislatures this year, but Native American tribes in Connecticut have their eyes on a bigger prize.
Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe that owns Foxwoods, points out that online gambling in New Jersey brings in more revenue for casinos and more taxes for the state than sports betting does. This has remained true even during the busy football season for NJ sportsbooks.
Butler sees a synergy between mobile sports betting and online gambling. The Connecticut tribes are asking for both verticals in a proposal pushed by Sen. Cathy Osten.
For everyone thats looking at sports betting, Butler said, look closely at the New Jersey model and the true success there is the marriage between sports betting and iGaming. Collectively, they really feed off each other.
In the 27 years since tribal gaming began in Connecticut in 1992, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes have combined to generate more than $8 billion in contributions to the state. Even apart from direct gambling revenue, their tribal casinos create an immense economic impact in the region.
Speaking at the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) conference at Mohegan Sun in September, Butler recalled that Connecticut didnt enter the tribal compacts thinking gaming was going to be a great economic boon.
The governor never thought tribal casinos would work in southeast Connecticut, according to Butler, but saw it as a way to keep outside gambling companies away.
They were trying to resolve a nagging issue that they had with these poor Indians, he said. [The tribes] were going to build a casino that was never going to be successful. It had nothing to do with creating jobs and infrastructure and supporting the region. It was really to quiet us down, but also to quell the burgeoning commercial gaming industry which is ironic given the conversations were having today.
The tribes have proven to be good partners to Connecticut, paying back 25% of slot revenue in exchange for exclusivity over casino gambling. The state gave them casino gambling as an afterthought, and they turned it into much more than anyone expected including the operation of Vegas-style resorts at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.
Those numbers, however, are declining.
The state share from tribal gaming peaked at $430 million in 2007 and has been trending steadily downward since, reaching $255 million this year. The decline stems from several factors, including the economic recession and an increase in gambling options in neighboring states.
So the tribes say: Allow us to modernize our gaming offerings by bringing casino games and sports betting to the web and mobile devices, and well bring that revenue back up.
With all the good the revenue has done for the state and its municipalities, the natives feel they deserve some loyalty in return. And lawmakers surrounding their facilities in southeast Connecticut agree.
There needs to be an understanding that the original Connecticut-ers before Connecticut was Connecticut were the Native Americans, Osten said. I think we need to put that out there and we need to fight the people that are stopping us from moving forward these two businesses which support Connecticut and have always supported Connecticut. We need to move beyond an executive branch that is stymieing that. We need to move beyond a bad corporate business that is trying to stymie our work here.
Other lawmakers see the falling tribal gaming revenues and feel it would be a mistake to hand over exclusivity on new forms of gambling without allowing other commercial gaming interests to compete.
Allowing tribes to have exclusivity to gambling off tribal lands also opens up the state to legal challenges, as seen in MGMs lawsuit seeking to overturn federal approval of the tribes jointly operating a casino in East Windsor near Hartford. The proposed Tribal Winds casino would be located 12 miles from MGMs casino in Springfield, Mass.
Butler asserts that MGM has no offices in the state and that all of its 80 employees in Connecticut are lobbyists. The tribes, meanwhile, employ some 18,000 people.
Osten further alleges that MGM misled the people of Connecticut when proposing to build a $600 million casino resort in Bridgeport, near New York City. Never given that opportunity, MGM subsequently angered some local legislators by instead buying a racino in Yonkers, just across the border.
They have promised people the world and never delivered on any single issue in Connecticut that they have promised, Osten said. I dont like MGM, and I dont like them because they have lied to people from Day 1. Theyre just trying to take our market, our jobs, and we need to fight back on somebody that does not tell people the absolute truth about the industry.
After negotiations between new Gov. Ned Lamont and the tribes broke down this year, Osten released a draft bill that she hoped to get taken up in a special session. The proposal drew scorn from Lamont and Rep. Joe Verrengia, who co-chairs the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security.
Trying to bypass the governor and work a deal is not a strategy that I would subscribe to, Verrengia said.
The bill would extend tribal exclusivity to sports betting and iGaming, providing 10% of revenue from those activities to the state. One concession allows the state lottery to offer limited online lottery draw games. The tribes would commit $100 million to build that casino in Bridgeport.
Verrengia, on the other hand, believes the state could do better by opening up gaming to private companies. He contends that the tribes arent fully committed to building a casino at either site, because they want people to continue to visit their existing resorts.
They really dont want a Bridgeport casino, Verrengia said. The governor wants the Bridgeport casino. The model theyre talking about, the tribes investing $100 million and the state coming up with the money to build a hotel around that, thats just outright bizarre given we had a private major casino willing to spend a half billion dollars to build a full destination casino with all private funds.
Connecticut tribes want sports betting but they really want online gambling. Verrengia hopes the latter will be the catalyst for an agreement on a comprehensive gaming resolution.
The money is not in sports betting for the tribes, Verrengia said. The money is in casino mobile. Online casino gaming is something that can be negotiated. Tribes, you get this percentage of casino play online and then the other stakeholders get a percentage of the sports betting.
Verrengia said its his goal for the parties to come to an agreement by the end of the next legislative session, which begins in February. If that doesnt happen, he could see Connecticut taking more drastic steps.
If theres no give, at some point we have to move forward with our gaming policy, Verrengia said. With all that said, Im a big supporter of the tribes. If I can do something to give them a home-field advantage, I will. But when it comes down to it, I work for the state of Connecticut.
Originally posted here:
- Riverside smoke shop raided in suspected gambling and narcotics investigation - The Press-Enterprise - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Sports gambling creates a windfall, but raises questions of integrity here are three lessons from historic sports-betting ... - The Conversation... - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Casino Hubs: 5 Airports That Serve Major Centers Of The Gambling Sector - Simple Flying - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Dear Abby: Dad worries gambling boyfriend will get his hands on money he leaves his daughter - OregonLive - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers cancel NFL Rookie of the Year bet - USA TODAY - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Louis Ferrari expected to plead guilty in gambling ring case - Democrat & Chronicle - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Regulator who ushered in Louisiana gambling expansion resigns, bullish on Shreveport-Bossier - Yahoo Finance - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Alabama's push to legalize gambling dies in the state Senate - Montgomery Advertiser - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Researchers reveal the double-edged-sword effect of overconfidence on gambling - Medical Xpress - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreter agrees to plead guilty in $17M sports gambling scandal - NBC Los Angeles - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Gambling Scandal of Ohtani's Ex-Interpreter to Receive TV Series - Tokyo Weekender - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- The rise of cryptocurrencies in online gambling - The Jerusalem Post - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Tennessee collects $7M in sports gambling taxes on $384.2M in wagers in April - The Center Square - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Key no vote on Alabama gambling bill suggests looking to next year Alabama Reflector - Alabama Reflector - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Effective Messaging Is Needed To Combat Illegal Gambling In US - PlayUSA - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Alabama legislative session adjourns with no final vote on gambling bill - Alabama legislative session adjourns with no ... - Focus Gaming News - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Transnational Crime and Southeast Asia's Gambling Underworld - World Casino Directory - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- MLB Betting Predictions 5/13/24 | MLB Gambling Podcast (Ep. 480) - SGPN - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- How did gambling develop into a major industry in Minnesota? - redlakenationnews.com - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Huge increase in young people 'gambling' on mortgages that expire in retirement - Yahoo News UK - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Premier League Matchday 37 Midweek (Games In Hand) Betting Picks | The EPL Show (Ep. 385) - SGPN - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Best Bet For Monday (May 13th): NBA Predictions - SGPN - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Speaker Ledbetter: 'We're going to see probably an expansion of more - 1819 News - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Gambling goes down in the Alabama Legislature again; union fight nears end; and more on Alabama Politics This Week! - Yellowhammer News - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- OPINION: When it comes to illegal gamblers in casinos, dont ask, dont tell - The Nevada Independent - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- This gambling tech stock might be the safest bet you'll make this year - Stockhouse Publishing - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Professional sport commissioners are fighting to preserve league integrity amid gambling scandals - The Conversation - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- State Sen. Orr: Gambling push 'sucked all the oxygen out' of passing - 1819 News - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Art Rooney II gambling his reputation that change will result in Steelers success - Still Curtain - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks - May 13 - SGPN - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Poole Researchers Uncover Tax Costs of Gambling - Poole College of Management - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Republican Cheryl Bean says casino gambling is not in the cards for Texas - CBS News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Local lawmakers, citizens react to the end of the Alabama gambling bill - Fox 10 News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- MLB commissioner gives update on Shohei Ohtani gambling investigation - USA TODAY - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- As gambling stalemate continues, former governor has suggestions on how it can succeed next year - wvua23.com - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Better Markets Applauds CFTC's Proposed Ban on Election Gambling To Prevent Election Interference and Protect ... - Better Markets - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Advocates seeking more revenue for problem gambling in MD will have to wait - Maryland Daily Record - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- West Virginia breaks state record, rakes in $20.68m of revenue in online gambling - WDTV - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- New Regulations For Gambling Consumer Protection Are Here! - Latest Casino Bonuses - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- After gambling standoff, Alabama lawmakers pass $9.3 billion education budget - Alabama Daily News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- MLB Betting Predictions 5/11/24 | MLB Gambling Podcast (Ep. 479) - SGPN - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Best Bet For Saturday (May 11th): UFC St. Louis Predictions - SGPN - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Governor Ivey will not call special session to readdress failed gambling bill - WIAT - CBS42.com - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Internet gambling industry expected to grow - WDTV - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Gambling constitutional amendment dies with the Senate declining to - 1819 News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Betting on the US market; the IT infrastructure of gambling - DatacenterDynamics - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- MLB's Shohei Ohtani, Interpreter's Gambling Scandal to Be Featured in New TV Series - Bleacher Report - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Alabama voters are tired of waiting for Godot gambling bill - AL.com - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- MGM National Harbor gambling revenue down 10% - WTOP - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- RIP GAMBLING 2024: House closes session by approving the education - 1819 News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- The End: The Money Picture Changes with Legalized Gambling - Gobbler Country - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Real Housewives Of Orange County Castmember Ryan Boyajian Reportedly Caught Up In $16M Theft And Gambling Scandal Surrounding Shohei Ohtanis Former... - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Gambling Safely: The Importance of Choosing the Righ... - HighstakesDB - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, agrees to plead guilty to 2 charges in gambling scandal - Yahoo Sports - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Charitable gambling to start at Hoops Brewing, will support the Duluth Curling Club - WDIO - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- TV series about Ohtani ex-interpreter gambling scandal in works - The Athletic - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Sports Is Betting It All On Gambling - Defector - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks - May 11 - SGPN - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- TV Series About Shohei Ohtani Interpreter's Gambling Scandal in Development - Sports Illustrated - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Why would I do that? Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says special session on lottery, gambling unlikely - AL.com - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Sports betting and gambling addiction are on the rise - Dakota News Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Proposed Alabama gambling legislation includes lottery, casinos, sports betting - AL.com - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Super Bowl betting soars, but it's still not legal in Chiefs and 49ers home states - NPR - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Problem gambling has increased in Ohio since sports betting legalized - Hamilton Journal News - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports betting and gambling addiction are on the rise - KTIV Siouxland's News Channel - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports bets during the big game could trigger gambling addictions - 25 News Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Illegal gambling raid at El Patron leads to 1 arrest and 23 citations - KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Experts discuss responsible gambling ahead of the Super Bowl - Spectrum News 1 - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Gambling addicts face tough test as Super Bowl 58 descends on Las Vegas and NFL cashes in - USA TODAY - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- What are the NFLs gambling rules for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas? - The Athletic - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Personal Frontiers gets $45K to treat gambling addiction - Gillette News Record - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Super Bowl Gambling Grows, But Pastors Are on the Sidelines | News & Reporting - ChristianityToday.com - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports betting leading to increase in gambling addiction - Dayton 24/7 Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Betting on the Super Bowl: Impacts of sports gambling in Ohio as state's help hotline sees jump in calls - WKYC.com - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports gambling during the NFL Championship game will increase addiction rates - 25 News Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Billionaires Are Trying to Bring Casinos and Gambling to Texas - Robb Report - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Gambling becomes the first big issue of the legislative session - WBHM - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- DraftKings, helplines, and the hidden toll of sports gambling - The Boston Globe - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- The Super Bowl and gambling are locked in a tight and dangerous embrace - The Guardian - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports gambling addictions on the rise due to online betting, experts warn ahead of Super Bowl LVIII - WLS-TV - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]