Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe still interested in casino

Tuesday, June 19, 2007  

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts still wants to open a casino but will wait to see whether lawmakers legalize Class III-style gaming.

"In terms of what's out there, it's all speculation," Chairman Donald Widdiss told The Martha's Vineyard Gazette. He said the tribe won't be spending any money to try and influence state politicians.

"Putting ourselves in a position of trying to influence the state legislature did not work before, so I think we made a conscious decision to be more contemplative about the whole thing this time around," Widdiss told the paper. "We burned a lot of fuel back then, and the car didn't go anywhere

The tribe was recognized through the Bureau of Indian Affairs process. Due to a land claims settlement act, state laws apply on the reservation on the island of Martha's Vineyard.

The tribe, however, has never wanted a casino on the island and has said it will look elsewhere for development. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, whose recognition was finalized by the BIA last month, has narrowed down its casino quest to one town.

Get the Story:
Tribe Casino Plans Remain Unchanged (The Martha's Vineyard Gazette 6/19)