Mohegan Sun Casino Resort and Foxwoods are two of the largest casinos in the world, and certainly the largest casinos in the Eastern U.S. There is no denying the fact that both properties have been significant contributors to the Connecticut economy. There is also no denying the fact that both casinos are growing larger by the minute, which is drawing concern from the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.

Fast forward to the Native Economic Impact Summit, organized by the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. Taking place last Thursday at the Connecticut Convention Center, at which the two tribes and six other chamber organizations attended, the Native Economic Impact Summit brought up these concerns to be fully addressed by the tribes.

With both casinos currently undergoing billion dollar expansions, there is great concern that the Connecticut economy could be in jeopardy. As brought up at the summit meeting, these concerns are stemming from other factors that are currently putting pressure on the surrounding areas and State economy as a whole. Both the tribes and State government are being asked to address these potential threats, which include the following:

An increasingly burdened transportation system may not be able to handle an increase in casino patrons and workers, resulting in even greater clogged highways and local roads; A housing market that increasingly grows more expensive for the working class; Increased competition from other regional casinos in the New York Catskills and Massachusetts; Lastly, there is concern directed toward the State government itself for not appropriating enough of the $400 million in gambling taxes generated from the casinos each year to the local towns and municipalities surrounding Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.

There will certainly be more to follow this meeting, whether in the form of more talks or cutbacks on expansion or changes in the appropriation of gambling taxes. For now, both casinos will continue business as usual.