(WTIC-AM) -- At a sprawling General Assembly hearing today, lawmakers debated allowing a tribe-operated casino to be built in East Windsor, even though the federal Interior Department has not given its approval for the project.
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Chairman Rodney Butler says he recently learned about a grand jury investigation relating to former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's handling of the issue.
Butler says the only thing holding up construction of the casino his tribe would jointly run with the Mohegans is the Interior Departments' refusal to grant approval.
Butler sees a bidding process for another new casino as a breach to the state's lucrative gambling agreement with his tribe.
But Bridgeport lawmakers want a new casino process.
Bridgeport Representative Chris Rosario supports a bidding process, in hopes of luring casino to his struggling city and restoring opportunity.
"It is literally life or death," Rosario said. "Some people, if they don't get a job, they resort to things that could change their life. They end up incarcerated or dead."
MGM has said it is interested in building a casino in Bridgeport.
MGM opened a Springfield, Massachusetts casino that would compete with the planned East Windsor gambling hall.
But southeastern Connecticut lawmakers support the views of the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, and want to quickly allow the construction of an East Windsor casino run by the tribes, with or without federal approval.
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During the same Public Safety Committee hearing, lawmakers considered legalizing sports gambling in Connecticut.
Players unions for baseball and basketball asked lawmakers to set aside a portion of betting revenue for players.
The unions also sought protections for players' safety, arguing that losing gamblers could become disgruntled, after placing legal bets in a stadium or an arena while watching a game.
Major League Baseball Players Association Chief Operating officer Kevin McGuiness says lessons can be learned from the game of soccer overseas.
"There we have players who, before they sign their first professional contract, are being approached by gamblers, are being approached by betting syndicates," McGuiness said. "What does that player do? Who does that player call? The consequences for that player are often personal or family safety."
The players unions say their members have different opinions about whether sports gambling should be legal, but they say states across the country are already moving to make it legal.