Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe hails good news on gaming plan

Tuesday, February 12, 2013  

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe got some good news from the Bureau of Indian Affairs as it pursues a casino in southeastern Massachusetts.

The tribe's proposed casino site in Taunton qualifies for an exception in Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn said in a letter. The determination was made by the National Indian Gaming Commission.

The news is “is a huge step forward toward the development  of a first class destination resort casino in Taunton," Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a press release. "We look forward to creating thousands of jobs and widespread economic opportunities for our tribe, the people of Taunton and the entire southeastern Massachusetts region.”

The tribe's land-into-trust application remains under consideration by the BIA. Washburn has promised a final decision sometime this spring.

Get the Story:
'Step forward' in Mass. tribe's casino bid (AP 2/12)
Tribe hails ruling as another step toward Taunton casino (The Boston Globe 2/12)

Letter: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe lacks ties to gaming site (2/11)