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Connecticut Tribe Presents Casino Plans

"…Those plans are contingent, however, on federal recognition. Regulators are expected to announce a verdict in December, and tribal leaders and supporters say they are confident they will prevail. That's because the Bureau of Indian Affairs has changed the methodology by which it determines recognition, a tribal attorney said.

"`The tribe will be recognized and we will have a casino in Bridgeport,' said Charles Tisdale, a leader of the Friends of the Golden Hill Paugussetts.

"…The casino outlined by supporters is impressive, although exactly where it would be located is unknown.

"…Some 150 to 200 acres of land would be needed and such space would have to be acquired through the city's power of eminent domain.

"…When fully built, the casino/resort would pump $100 million a year into city coffers, create nearly 17,000 new jobs and provide more than $200 million in new state tax revenue, supporters claim.

"The tribe envisions two casinos over time, eventually offering more than 325,000 square feet of gaming space. There would be a large bingo hall, 15 restaurants and several nightclubs.

"…It's anticipated the tribe would pay 25 percent of its slot machine revenue to the state, the same as the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. Those two casinos now represent about $350 million in annual revenue for the state."

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