Tribes rule out locating proposed casino in East Windsor

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Leaders of Connecticut’s two federally recognized tribes say they’re no longer considering East Windsor as a site for a proposed casino.

The Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribal chairmen said Wednesday they’ll now enter “the next phase of discussions” with the communities of East Hartford, Hartford and Windsor Locks.

Kevin Brown, chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council, says it was a difficult decision but pursuing a facility in East Windsor was “extremely challenging” after one site was removed from consideration by the developer and others were not submitted by the property owner.

Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council, says the site ultimately was “not the right fit.”

The tribes hope to blunt competition from the planned MGM Resorts International casino in Springfield, Massachusetts. They still need legislative approval.