All members named to Massachusetts Gaming Commission

Wednesday, March 21, 2012  

The final two members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission were named on Tuesday.

The five members are Stephen Crosby, Gayle Cameron, Enrique Zuniga, James F. McHugh and Bruce Stebbins. Crosby is serving as chairman of the commission.

"The five of us are ready to go," Crosby said at a press conference, The Cape Cod Times reports.

The commission's main job will be issuing licenses to two non-Indian casinos. The third license is reserved for "a federally recognized tribe" -- the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe are both seeing a casino.

Gov. Deval Patrick (D) has agreed to enter into Class III gaming compact negotiations with the Mashpee. The tribe plans to build a casino in Taunton.

The Aquinnah believe they qualify for a casino although some observers believe the tribe can't engage in gaming due to provisions in its land claim settlement act.

Get the Story:
Gambling board will establish framework for state casinos (The Cape Cod Times 3/21)
Taunton begins study on potential casino effects on community (The Taunton Daily Gazette 3/21)

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Opinion: Expert lacks credibility on Wampanoag casino plan (3/20)