The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe hailed final passage of H.3702, a bill to legalize full-scale gaming in Massachusetts.

The bill authorizes three casinos in three regions of the state. Region C -- the southeastern part -- is reserved for "a federally recognized tribe."

“Today is an important day for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and our neighbors. We’re excited to get to work quickly on a destination resort casino that will bring jobs, revenue, and increased tourism to southeastern Massachusetts," Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a statement.

The bill gives the tribe until July 30, 2012, to negotiate a Class III gaming compact with Gov. Deval Patrick (D). If a deal doesn't come through, Region C can be opened to non-Indian entities.

"We need to work closely and stay committed — that's the equation for success," Cromwell told The Cape Cod Times. "We're going to get it done."

The tribe will need to find a new gaming site and submit a new land-into-trust application to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Two prior sites have fallen through.

Additionally, the tribe will have to address issues raised by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar. The ruling said the land-into-trust process is restricted to tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934.

The Mashpee Wampanoags gained recognition in May 2007.

Get the Story:
Casino vote deals Wampanoag tribe winning hand (The Cape Cod Times 11/16)
Final approval on casinos may come today (The Boston Globe 11/16)
Deval Patrick: Let the gaming begin! (The Boston Herald 11/16)
Greater Taunton lawmakers have mixed emotions about approval of casino bill (The Taunton Daily Gazette 11/16)
Lawmakers pass casino bill (The Worcester Telegram & Gazette 11/15)
Deval Patrick: Massachusetts casinos bill means 'opportunity to create some additional middle-skill jobs ... is here' (The Springfield Republican 11/15)

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Final vote planned for gaming legislation in Massachusetts (11/15)