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Foxwoods Executive Wants State To Be Less Strict With Certain Gambling Regulations

Posted on May 14th, 2010

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Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council, the Indian tribe that owns Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, has suggested that the state relax some of its gambling regulations in order to make it possible for casinos in Connecticut to compete better with gambling companies in neighboring states that have more lenient gambling rules. Butler proposed that the state lower the legal gambling age from 21, to probably 18, and allow the casinos to serve alcohol until 4 a.m.

He mentioned these proposals when he was asked about what he thought could still be done to enhance the relationship between the state and the tribe, after a ceremony Wednesday at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Centre announcing the total amount of revenue the tribe has given the state in its 18 years of operation.

To date, the tribe has paid the state $3 billion, constituting 25 percent of the casino’s revenues from slot machines, which the tribe gives to the state instead of taxes. The tribe, though, has not formally endorsed the changes it wishes for and Butler did not say when they plan to do it. He said it is a matter that the tribe needs to seriously discuss with the governor and the legislature.

Slot machine sites in New York are expanding that would directly compete with Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos in Connecticut, and these venues allow 18 year-olds to gamble, although in some New York casinos gamblers must be at least 21. Rhode Island also has slot machines and Massachusetts may soon have them. The Mashantucket Pequot tribe has run into financial troubles and is trying to restructure a $2-billion debt, because of an expansion that unfortunately coincided with the onset of the recession. Butler did not comment about the tribe’s discussions with creditors, but said as soon as a deal is reached, it will be announced.

Foxwoods’ highest annual payment to Connecticut in the amount of $205 million was made in 2005, but Butler and Foxwoods’ president Michael Speller refused to consider the possibility of the casino beating that figure in the future. Both men, though, are hoping that more positive ideas would be achieved that would benefit the state and the tribe. “The tribe looks forward to that continuing relationship with the state and how we can enhance that,” said Butler, the 33 year-old former University of Connecticut football player who became the tribal leader in January after previously acting as the tribe’s treasurer.