The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe will make an announcement about its gaming plans "very soon," Chairman Cedric Cromwell said.

The tribe plans to open a casino in southeastern Massachusetts. But two sites have already fallen through as the tribes faces a July 31 deadline to negotiate a Class III gaming compact.

The tribe also must have a land agreement in place and schedule an election in the host community by July 31. Land is seen as the biggest hurdle.

“We are finalizing our plans for a destination resort location in southeastern Massachusetts, which will then be included in our land in trust application currently being processed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs," Cromwell said in a statement, according to news reports.

If the tribe doesn't meet the deadline, the state can open up the southeastern region to other casino bidders.

Get the Story:
Complications, deadline for Indian casino (GateHouse News Service 1/10)
Middleboro officials still hope for casino (The Brockton Enterprise 1/10)

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Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe faces deadlines for gaming plans (1/3)