Town plans to impose taxes on all non-Indian casino vendors

Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Filed Under: Connecticut | Litigation
More on: 2nd circuit, igra, mashantucket, slot machines, taxation

A town in Connecticut plans to impose property taxes on all non-Indian vendors who do business with tribal casinos, The New London Day reports.

The town of Ledyard won a decision from the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals that said its taxes do not violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act or infringe on tribal sovereignty. The ruling applied to two non-Indian slot machine vendors for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation that owed an estimated $20,000 a year.

But Mayor John Rodolico said the town could pull in $300,000 a year if taxes are imposed on other non-Indian vendors. "Really, it's about establishing the revenue stream the town requires to run its government," he told the paper.

The tribe hasn't said whether it will ask the 2nd Circuit to rehear the case or petition the U.S. Supreme Court. "We just received the decision yesterday and continue to review it," spokesperson Bill Satti told the paper.

Get the Story:
Court ruling worth thousands in taxes to Ledyard (The New London Day 7/17)

2nd Circuit Decision:
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation v. Ledyard (July 15, 2013)