Mohegans propose USD 1 billion Massachusetts casino

The operators of the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut are looking at spending about USD 1 billion on a new gambling resort in Palmer that could include up to 4,000 slots, a 600-room hotel and a giant retail center, according to town and Mohegan tribe officials.

Bruce ’Two Dogs’ Bozsum, chairman of the Mohegan Tribe, said that the Mohegans realize any gaming resort in Palmer would cost in the vicinity of USD 1 billion. He touted the creation of possibly thousands of contruction and resort jobs. In a statement, he said a major gaming, hotel, restaurant and retail resort would employ as many as 5,000 people permanently in the region.

Bozsum’s remarks marked the first time the tribe has offered details of its Palmer casino plan, which is contingent on Government Deval Patrick and the Legislature one day deciding to allow casino gambling in Massachusetts.

The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority last month signed an exclusive development deal with Northeast Realty and Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, a developer of retail, housing and office projects, to explore building a casino resort on about 150 acres of land just off the Mass Pike. The issue of a casino resort is slated to be addressed at the Palmer town council’s September 10 meeting.