"The stipulation under the Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act to give first preference in the Southeastern Massachusetts region to a Native American tribe came with several strict deadlines that had to be met.

Through a cooperative approach between the tribe, the city of Taunton and now Gov. Deval Patrick, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s proposal for a $500 million resort casino in Taunton has passed all those hurdles so far.

Unfortunately, one key deadline seems to be missing from the process: One that would specify how long the tribe has for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to place land in trust for the purposes of operating a tribal casino. That status, necessary for making the land sovereign territory of the tribe, is a key approval needed for the casino to become a reality."

Get the Story:
OUR OPINION: Hedging bets on regional casino plans (The Patriot Ledger 7/20)

Another Opinion:
Editorial: Showing their cards (The Cape Cod Times 7/19)

Related Stories:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Class III compact clears one vote (7/19)