Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to discuss casino with town

Wednesday, April 21, 2010  

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe will meet with the town of Middleboro, Massachusetts, today to discuss the future of a casino project.

The tribe reached an agreement to build a $1 billion resort in the town. The tribe started the land-into-trust process for 539 acres in Middleboro.

But the project has run into questions as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar, which restricts the land-into-trust process to tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934. The Mashpees didn't gain formal recognition until May 2007.

Additionally, the tribe entered into a new financial agreement with new developers. The tribe reportedly started looking at sites in other locations, including the city of Fall River.

The city council in Fall River passed a resolution to talk with all tribes about a potential casino. The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe is reportedly interested.

Get the Story:
Casino talks to resume in Middleboro (The Brockton Enterprise 4/21)
City Council votes to refer casino talks to committee (The Fall River Herald News 4/21)
Fall River considers adding a casino (WPRI 4/21)

Related Stories:
City wants casino talk with Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe (4/20)