The Mashantucket Pequot reservation in Connecticut was created back in 1666, after the Pequot War of 1637 had wiped out most of the Pequots, and in time the land was reduced to less than an acre and the population to less than 30. The tribe won federal recognition in 1983, then a lawsuit over misappropriated reservation lands, and opened the Foxwoods bingo hall in 1986. In 1990 the population had risen to 320, and two years later Foxwoods Resort Casino, a bus ride from New York City was opened, becoming possibly the largest resort casino in the world.

The Fox People are now reaching out with their financial and managerial experience to assist other tribes to profit from Indian gaming. The latest project is for a $270 million resort in partnership with the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska. The planned site for the casino is Park City near Wichita, about four hours away from the reservation, where the proposal has won support but the tribe must still negotiate a compact with Kansas State and have it approved by the US Interior Department.

The Iowa Tribe has a small casino on its reservation with 350 machines and restaurants. The Park City plan has 50 gaming tables, 2,500 slot machines, event centre and hotel covering 260,000 sq ft of a 59-acre site and would be expected to create a minimum of 1,500 jobs. Should the Park City project not materialise then it would move to the White Cloud reservation land.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation with its Foxwood Development Company are proactive in seeking investment opportunities throughout the United States. They have a consulting agreement in central California with the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, an agreement to develop a casino near Flagstaff in Arizona with the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, and a partnership in Pennsylvania to compete for a slot machine licence. The management and development contract with the Iowa Tribe is the latest way in which Foxwoods is using its enormous financial reserves to assist other tribes achieve economic success, as well as expanding its own interests.

Connecticut has benefited by over $2 billion in contributions from the Foxwood Resort Casino, in a revenue stream that continues to grow from a revenue-sharing agreement. Other states and other tribes may soon start to reap similar benefits with the help of financing and management expertise from Foxwoods. From a very small beginning the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation has become a major player in the gaming industry of the United States. (E-04.15.05)

© Copyright 2005 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage