Mohegan Tribe ready to submit application for New York casino


The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut plans to turn the former Concord Resort Hotel in New York into a commercial gaming facility. Photo from WikiPedia

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut will submit an application today for a commercial casino in New York.

The tribe plans to build a $600 million casino at the former Concord Resort Hotel in the Catskills. The region is about 90 minutes north of New York City and has long been eyed for gaming.

"We will be filing a final application Monday," Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority CEO Mitchell Etess told The New London Day.

Last November, voters approved a referendum [PDF: Proposal 1] to authorize up to seven casinos in the state. The region that includes the Catskills and the Hudson Valley is expected to get two licenses.

At least two other bidders are planning to submit applications for casino in the Catskills. But the Hudson Valley area -- which is even closer to New York City -- has drawn more interest and at least six bidders are expected there.

The prospect of a casino closer to New York City prompted the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut and the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians of Wisconsin to drop out of the race. Both tribes were looking at the Catskills.

The applications are due by 4pm Eastern time.

Get the Story:
Mohegan Sun to apply for New York casino license as chances in Massachusetts remain uncertain (AP 6/29)
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority to file final application Monday for Catskills casino (The New London Day 6/29)
Bids Are Due for Upstate New York Casinos (The Wall Street Journal 6/30)
Local public remains split on casino location (The Troy Record 6/30)

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Mohegan Tribe reaffirms bid for commercial casino in New York (6/23)

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