Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe eyes casino deal

Friday, October 2, 2009  

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts is working to resolve a casino deal with their investors, Vice Chairman Aaron Tobey said.

The tribe entered into a deal with developers Sol Kerzner and Len Wolman, who built a casino for the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut. But the agreement was called into doubt when the tribal council sought to negotiate new terms and the investors stopped making payments to the tribe.

Additionally, the tribe's ability to open a casino has been questioned by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar. Affairs Committee, introduced S.1703, a bill that would resolve any concerns by ensuring all tribes, regardless of the date of their recognition, can follow the land-into-trust process.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe gained recognition in May 2007. In August 2007, the tribe submitted a land-into-trust application to open a casino in the town of Middleboro.

"Both parties want the casino in Middleboro to be a success," Tobey told South Coast Today of talks with investors.

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