Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe goes official with casino proposal

Tuesday, March 6, 2012  

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe is making a bid for a casino in Fall River, Massachusetts.

H.3702, the state's new gaming law, authorizes three casinos in three regions. The casino in Region C is reserved for "a federally recognized tribe."

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe certainly qualifies as federally recognized. So does the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, whose leaders are making a bid for a casino in Taunton.

H.3702, however, purports to limit the state to one Class III gaming compact. Gov. Deval Patrick (D) said he is ready to negotiate with the Mashpees but it's not clear whether he would talk with the Aquinnahs.

"Today, we requested that Governor Patrick enter into formal compact negotiations with the tribe," Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais told The Cape Cod Times.

The law requires a referendum in a host community to be held by July 31. The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe is asking officials in Fall River to schedule a vote there in accordance with H.3702.

Get the Story:
Aquinnah say they've requested formal casino talks with state (The Cape Cod Times 3/6)
Wampanoag Aquinnah Tribe pitches casino proposal to Fall River (The Fall River Herald News 3/6)

Related Stories:
Governor ready to negotiate with Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (3/2)