Mohegans Watching Elections

UNITED STATES – As reported by the Connecticut Day: "Mohegan tribal leaders will be watching election results in Wisconsin and Washington State next Tuesday to see whether their plans to diversify into tribal gaming in those states will go forward as planned.

"Residents of Kenosha County, Wis., will vote in a nonbinding referendum on the Menominee Indians' proposed casino at the Dairyland Greyhound track. In Washington State, voters will decide whether to allow commercial companies to operate slot machines, which would effectively end a monopoly on tribal gaming in that state.

"In Wisconsin, the Mohegans have development and management agreements with the Menominees to build an $800 million casino on the 268-acre site of the Dairyland Greyhound track. Though next week's referendum is nonbinding, Gov. Jim Doyle and other key players could withdraw their support if voters say no to the planned 116,000-square-foot casino.

"…In Washington State, where the Mohegans are partnering with the Cowlitz tribe to develop and manage a casino in Clark County, a tribal monopoly on slot machines is at risk under Initiative 892. Voters will decide whether to allow up to 18,000 slot machines in restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, nontribal casinos and card rooms. Tribes have donated up to $5 million in a campaign to defeat the initiative, according to local reports.

"The Mohegans have a 54.15 percent interest in a limited liability corporation called Salishan-Mohegan LLC, which will oversee all aspects of casino development, from taking land into trust, negotiating a compact with the state, arranging financing and planning and developing the casino. Salishan-Mohegan will manage the casino for seven years…"