Indian Gaming

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe will defend its gaming rights against a lawsuit filed by the state of Massachusetts, Chairman-elect Tobias Vanderhoop said.

The National Indian Gaming Commission and the Solicitor at the Interior Department have confirmed the tribe's rights under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Vanderhoop said the tribe is entitled to pursue a casino if its members choose to follow that path.

"How our tribe decides to exercise those rights is up to membership. Whenever an existing right of our tribe is challenged, there can be only one appropriate response and that is to defend ourselves vigorously," Vanderhoop told The Cape Cod Times.

The lawsuit was filed in state court, a venue that has been historically unfavorable to Indian interests. In 2004, the Massachusetts Supreme ruled that the tribe is subject to state law due to provisions in the Massachusetts Indian Land Claims Settlement Act.

Turtle Talk has posted the complaint in the case, Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).

Get the Story:
Aquinnah vow to fight state's anti-casino suit (The Cape Cod Times 12/4)

Also Today:
Dennis J. Whittlesey: Aquinnah’s Long And Winding Road To Gaming May Have Hit The Ultimate Roadblock (Mondaq.com 12/4)
Username: indianz@indianz.com. Password: indianz

Relevant Documents:
Solicitor Letter to Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe (August 23, 2013)
NIGC Letter to Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe (October 25, 2013)
Press Release: GSB Client Aquinnah Wampanoag to be First to Game in Massachusetts (November 12, 2013)

Related Stories:
State sues Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe to block Class II casino (12/3)