Tribes warn Connecticut could lose 18,000 casino-related jobs

The leaders of Connecticut's two federally recognized Indian tribes made a united pitch Tuesday to open at least one, jointly-owned casino, warning lawmakers the state could lose 18,000 jobs once a casino in neighboring Springfield, Mass., opens in two and a half years.

The Associated Press reports the figure includes jobs at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, as well as hundreds of vendors and other affected businesses across the state.

The Mohegan Tribe and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation want to build a casino as soon as possible to face competition from the $600 million MGM Resorts International facility planned in Springfield.

Read more from The Associated Press.