Connecticut wants a federal court to toss out a lawsuit filed by casino developer MGM Resorts International, which challenged the constitutionality of a law creating a multistep process for a possible third tribal casino along the Massachusetts border.
In a motion filed Wednesday, the state argued MGM has not suffered "injury" from Connecticut’s legislation and therefore does not have standing to sue Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and other officials.
The motion marked Connecticut’s first response to MGM’s suit, filed in August.
MGM plans to open an $800 million casino in Springfield, Massachusetts. It also claims to be "ready, willing and able" to compete to build a casino in Connecticut, but was "excluded" by the law.
Connecticut’s lawyers contend the new law doesn’t guarantee there will even be a third casino.