If approved by the General Assembly, the 10-year deal would open Connecticut to its greatest expansion of gambling since the opening of the two tribal casinos, Foxwoods Resort and Mohegan Sun, by making every smartphone and computer a portal to casino games and CT Lottery sales. One of the sticking points two weeks ago was the 20% tax the state proposed to collect on iGaming, the term for offering casino games online. The Mohegans agreed, but the Mashantucket Pequots wanted an 18% rate. The Mohegans, who had signaled their impatience with the Pequots by signing on to the earlier version with the administration, were similarly upbeat. The joint release read like a diplomatic communique. Instead, the Lottery would be permitted to offer a sub-license to Sportech, allowing it to accept bets at up to 15 locations. Sportech has threatened to sue. David Lehman, the governor’s economic adviser and one of his two negotiators with the tribes, assured lawmakers at the hearing that problem gambling will be addressed.
Mashantucket Pequots join Mohegans, agree to revised sports betting deal