The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut is moving closer towards its goal of operating a commercial casino in Massachusetts.

The tribe wants to open a casino in Palmer. That's in western Massachusetts, one of the regions where a casino is authorized under a gaming bill that was unveiled yesterday.

"We still believe we have the best site in western Mass. and can create thousands of jobs and great revenues … and provide some significant uplift for a region that really needs it," Mitchell Etess, chief executive officer of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, told The New London Day.

The tribe will have to win a bid for a "category 1" casino in Region B. Category 1 means slot machines and table games.

The bill requires a casino license fee of at least $85 million and a capital investment commitment at least $500 million. The tribe will have to share 25 percent of gross gaming revenues with the state.

The bill is expected to be considered after Labor Day.

Get the Story:
Massachusetts bill would allow three casinos, one slots parlor (The New London Day 8/24)
Mohegan gaming CEO gets behind Mass. petition (The Norwich Bulletin 8/24)