CT: Spectrum Gaming Report #14 Taxes

Municipalities

Ledyard
Foxwoods is located in Ledyard. After the
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation won federal recognition, the Tribe began
purchasing land within the boundary of its reservation. Its massive casino
complex and parking garages were built within those boundaries.

The
problem for Ledyard is that as the land was placed onto the reservation, it fell
off the local property tax rolls. The town estimated that its loss of property
tax revenue in 2008 was more than $2 million. The figure was arrived at by
computing land values. No value was assigned for the casino buildings
themselves.

According to Ledyard Tax Assessor Paul Hopkins, the Tribe
goes through a process called annexation. It files an application with the US
Department of the Interior to place the land into trust once it purchases the
property. Hopkins said the town is not even made aware of the application. It
finds out if, and when, the application is approved.
– page 220 Spectrum
Gaming Group (SGG) “Gambling in Connecticut” 2009