Editorial: No guarantees for Mashpee casino

Wednesday, February 13, 2008  

" A badly written 1988 federal law designed to help tribes abused for centuries by the government earn some revenue led to the creation of monstrosities like Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut that have hugely enriched two tribes and their backers while leaving a few crumbs for the state and local communities. Those tribes built on tribal land, but because the Mashpee Wampanoags' tribal land is not readily accessible to visitors, they have purchased land near Interstate 495.

There is no guarantee that the Bureau of Indian Affairs will declare that land to be tribal land when it does act. There is no guarantee the slow-moving bureau will act soon, one way or the other. There is no guarantee that the tribe will receive approval to operate slot machines, which is the main attraction for the average casino visitor. Tribes are limited to gambling operations that are legal in their home state, and slots are not legal in Massachusetts. The Patrick administration argues that the tribe is not providing adequate environmental and public safety protections in its Middleborough plan, which could delay its approval.

Governor Patrick believes the presence of three casinos will generate revenue for his ambitious programs, and he has even included casino licensing revenue in his budget for the next fiscal year. He deserves a fair hearing from the Legislature, which would have to approve his plan, and we hope he gets one this spring. But lawmakers should not be pressured into acting with undue haste because of the Mashpee's plans. That casino is a long way away from reality, and the Patrick administration may help ensure it doesn't become reality."

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Editorial: Tribal casino a way's off (The Berkshire Eagle 2/13)