Feb 14, 2007 5:23 pm US/Eastern
MGM Mirage, Foxwoods May Build New Casino In A.C
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J (CBS/AP) ―
The American Indian tribe that owns the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut and gaming company MGM Mirage are looking to build a casino in Atlantic City's marina district, according to a published report.
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Las Vegas-based gaming company have discussed building what would be the city's 12th casino on a 14-acre site owned by MGM Mirage, The Press of Atlantic City reported for Wednesday's newspapers.
But a spokesman for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns Foxwoods disputed the published report.
"We are not planning to develop that parcel, and our focus is not even in New Jersey," said Bruce MacDonald. "Our focus is elsewhere."
The two have formed a joint venture company to explore business opportunities, but no details have been given about where new facilities would be located.
The newspaper obtained a copy of a memorandum of agreement dated April 2006 between the Pequot tribe and the MGM Mirage, in which the marina district location was specifically mentioned as a site for a new casino.
The ownership of the location has been in dispute with both a New Jersey developer and MGM Mirage claiming to own the land. A judge last week ruled that the land would remain in the hands of the gaming company.
However, MacDonald said that location was only listed as an example of the type of location available for development between the two companies. He added that the memorandum has been rewritten substantially since then.
MGM's vice president of public affairs, Gordon Absher, told the newspaper that Atlantic City is the "top priority" for possible joint ventures between the two companies but that no decisions have been made.
If constructed, the casino would be the first in Atlantic City owned by an Indian tribe. It would be the fourth casino in the marina district, adjacent to Absecon Inlet, which is already home to the Trump Marina Hotel Casino, The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and Harrah's Atlantic City.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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