HARTFORD --The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation launched another push Tuesday for a casino expansion bill that would open up the process to proposals from more potential operators.

About 40 members of the Kent-based tribe traveled to the Capitol to meet with legislators and lobby for the bill now under consideration by the General Assembly.

The tribe, which has expressed aspirations to open a casino, opposes a competiting expansion bill that would allow the operators of Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun to establish a "satellite" casino in East Windsor, the first in the state off a tribal reservation.

The East Windsor venue would compete with a $950 million casino and entertainment complex in Springfield that will open next year. The satellite casino, which would be operated by a partnership of the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, is intended to dilute the competitive impact on Connecticut's gaming industry.

But Tuesday, the Schaghticokes said the state would benefit far more from a casino in southwestern Connecticut.

"You're tapping into the New York market, 50 miles outside of Manhattan," Chief Richard Velky said.

Velky added, "Our tribe stands ready, willing and able to compete for the right to offer commercial casino gaming in southwestern Connecticut -- all we need is an open process and a pathway to compete, which this bill gives us."