MGM Resorts International is looking to continue its fight against the Connecticut-based Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes regarding their pursuit of additional casino developments in the state. The company is contending that tribal leaders are “getting further and further” ahead with these efforts and that MGM just wants a fair shot at competing with them going forward.

MGM Resorts International, which generates well over $10 billion a year in revenue from their casino and hotel operations in Nevada and several other states, is arguing that newly-passed state laws allowing the tribes to pursue a new casino development are completely unconstitutional and they give MGM no chance to compete on “an equal footing.”

MGM’s legal team urged a federal judge earlier this week to deny the state’s motions to have MGM’s own lawsuit contesting the casino proposal laws tossed. The suit was filed in August of this year in New Haven.

Since the suit was presented in U.S. District Court, four towns – East Hartford, East Windsor, Hartford and Windsor Locks – have submitted proposals that the tribes have already began to review and take under consideration.

If all things go accordingly the tribes will then negotiate a development plan going forward and will need the Connecticut legislature to legalize commercial gaming in the state before the an actual casino project can even begin.

MGM Resorts International is already in the process of building a mega resort and casino in neighboring Massachusetts. The $950 million project – which is located in the city of Springfield – will look to cut into the business of Connecticut-based mega casinos Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.

It is because of that very casino the tribes feel it is necessary to keep their firm grip on the casino market in the state and hope to continue their efforts in breaking ground on a 3rd casino in the region. They also have the law on their side, as state legislators already voted in special laws allowing these tribes to have essentially have full reign on future casino development plans.

In any case, MGM feels that they should have an opportunity to at least have an equal chance to possibly expand their business into the Hartford area. It is unclear whether MGM Resorts International will be able to clear the necessary legal hurdles but at the very least they’re willing to put up a long and extensive court battle to delay the tribes’ plans for the time being while they muster up support from lobbyists and politicians in Connecticut.