Lawmakers weigh elimination of ‘Vegas nights’

Masha Herbst

Monday, Dec. 16, 2002 | 9:47 a.m.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- A state law that allows nonprofit organizations to hold "Las Vegas night" fund-raisers should be repealed because it also allows federally recognized Indian tribes to open casinos, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told lawmakers Friday.

The attorney general made his remarks at a sparsely attended hearing on the issue, which legislators say they may bring up during a special session scheduled to start Wednesday. The session was called to resolve a $500 million hole in the state budget.

Blumenthal argued that the potential loss to charities, churches and other nonprofit groups was minimal compared to the decline in quality of life he said would result from more casinos.

The Golden Hill Paugussetts, a Connecticut tribe that has applied for federal recognition, said Blumenthal's efforts were an attack on Indian tribes.

"Our attorney general considers the repeal of Las Vegas Nights legislation to be the silver bullet with which he kills our hopes to become self-sufficient under federal law," said Chief Quiet Hawk of the Golden Hill tribe. "Repealing Las Vegas Nights will do nothing but deprive non-profit organizations of the ability to raise money."

The 1972 law opened the door to Indian casinos by permitting churches and other nonprofit groups to raise money with casino-type games.

The Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegan tribes used the statute to open casinos because the National Indian Gaming Regulatory Act says tribes can pursue any gambling that already exists in the state.

Earlier this year, the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs recognized a third Connecticut tribe, calling the Eastern Pequots and the Paucatuck Eastern Pequots a single, historical tribe. A tribal spokeswoman declined to comment Friday on the potential legislation.

Four other tribes have also applied for recognition and all have indicated they plan to open casinos in the state. The governor and federally recognized tribes can negotiate a gaming compact, which then must be approved by the legislature.

The only other speaker at the hearing was longtime casino opponent Nicholas Mullane, first selectman of North Stonington.