Compacts | Legislation

Massachusetts gaming bill provides for just one tribal compact

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Massachusetts is home to the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe but it appears only one will be able to join the Indian gaming industry under a bill unveiled earlier this week.

The bill authorizes the governor to negotiate a Class III gaming compact with "a federally recognized Indian tribe." And it only authorizes one casino in southeastern Massachusetts, where both tribes are based.

The Mashpees gained federal recognition in 2007 and have been looking for gaming sites. But the tribe faces questions about its ability to acquire land as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar.

The Aquinnah gained federal recognition in 1987. Its land claim settlement act bars gaming on its reservation in Martha's Vineyard but it's an open question whether the tribe could acquire land elsewhere for a casino.

Get the Story:
Wampanoag Tribes Stand To Gain From Casino Plan (WBUR 8/25)
High stakes for gambling licenses (The Boston Globe 8/25)
Raynham Board of Selectmen shows support for casino bill (The Taunton Gazette 8/25)
One Wampanoag tribe could cash in from renewed gaming push (State House News Service 8/24)

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