Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe keeping an eye on gaming legislation

Tuesday, August 16, 2011  

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe expects more debate this fall on a bill to legalize gaming in Massachusetts.

The details are still being developed but the bill will likely authorize full-scale gaming and three commercial casinos in different parts of the state. The tribe hopes to open a casino in southeastern Massachusetts.

“Our resort casino in Southeastern Massachusetts will be an easy commute for residents of both Fall River and New Bedford. We will employ many of the people in these two great cities who are currently looking for work, both in construction jobs as well as in good, permanent jobs operating the resort casino and associated businesses,” Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a statement to State House News Service.

Lawmakers from the area are urging their leaders to draft a bill that would not provide a preference for the tribe. They say the casino in southeastern Massachusetts should come with “no strings attached."

Get the Story:
Lawmakers seek fair bid process in casino bill (The Cape Cod Times 8/16)