The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe cleared one of the last major hurdles in its quest to open a casino in Massachusetts.

The state Senate approved the tribe's Class III gaming compact on Thursday. The House previously approved the deal and now it can be sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act gives the BIA 45 days to consider the compact. The agency could approve it, reject it or let it go into effect to the extent its provisions are consistent with IGRA.

The tribe's last, and possibly biggest, hurdle is a land-into-trust application that's pending at the BIA.

Get the Story:
Mashpee tribe clears major hurdle (The Cape Cod Times 7/27)
Mass. Senate approves Taunton casino compact (The Taunton Daily Gazette 7/27)
Mashpee Wampanoag tribe agrees to extend public comment period of MEPA review of casino proposa (The Taunton Daily Gazette 7/27)
Mashpee meeting with tribe postponed (The Cape Cod Times 7/26)

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Vote scheduled on Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino compact (7/26)