Gaming bill in Massachusetts reserves one casino for tribes

Thursday, June 3, 2010  

A bill introduced in the Massachusetts Senate authorizes three commercial casinos, with one to be operated by a tribe.

The state is home to two federally recognized tribes and several state recognized tribes. It's not clear from news reports whether the casino process would be open to all of the tribes.

Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe are both pursuing casinos. The Aquinnah have said they are open to a commercial casino while the Mashpee plan to operate under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

If the state legalizes gaming, the tribes are entitled to the same types of games under IGRA. The House already passed a bill to legalize two casinos and authorize slot machines at race tracks.

The Senate bill does not authorize slots at tracks.

Get the Story:
Senate bids for casinos (The Boston Herald 6/3)
Senate to propose licensing 3 casinos (The Boston Globe 6/3)
Mass. Senate to unveil 3-casino gambling bill (AP 6/3)