Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) is said to announce as early as today a proposal for up to three commercial casinos in the state.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe could bid for a license or pursue their own gaming plans. News reports suggest it would be easier for the tribes to bid for one of the commercial casinos, citing the lengthy federal review process for tribal casinos.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has already started the land-into-trust process and would still need to negotiate a Class III compact. If the state goes ahead with commercial casinos, it would diminish the state's leverage for tribal casino revenues since the Bureau of Indian Affairs tends to disfavor high revenue-sharing rates without some measure of exclusivity.

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe already has land in trust but its reservation cannot be used for gaming due to a land claims settlement act so the tribe would need to look elsewhere for land. Chairman Donald Widdis has said the tribe would be willing to bid on a casino license due to the lengthy federal process.

According to news reports, Patrick's plan envisions casinos around the state, including the metro Boston area.

Get the Story:
Mashpee tribe's advantage in casino deal dwindling (The Cape Cod Times 9/17)
Would-be hosts, foes rev up for casino bid (The Boston Globe 9/17)
Gleam of casino gold draws delight, denunciations (The Boston Globe 9/17)
Casino Challenge From The North (The Hartford Courant 9/17)
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