The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe called on Massachusetts lawmakers to approve its Class III gaming compact. The deal requires the tribe to share 21 percent of revenues with the state. The rate will drop to 17 percent once another casino opens elsewhere in the state and then to 15 percent if a slot machine parlor opens in southeastern Massachusetts. "There are $2.5 billion in reasons why the compact should be taken up and approved," Chairman Cedric Cromwell told lawmakers at a hearing yesterday, referring to the state's estimated share of revenues over 20 years, The Cape Cod Times reported. The compact ends revenue sharing altogether if another casino opens in southeastern Massachusetts. That's a plausible scenario, since the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has agreed to accept non-Indian bids for the region. The Bureau of Indian Affairs rejected the tribe's first compact due to concerns about revenue sharing and exclusivity. Lawmakers expressed concerns about the new agreement but Rep. Joseph Wagner (D), the co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, said it was likely to move forward. Get the Story:
Legislators wary of new compact with Mashpee tribe (The Cape Cod Times 5/16)
Area legislators lead charge against compact but committee chair says deal is likely to go forward (The New Bedford Standard-Times 5/16)
Lawmakers hesitate on new Wampanoag compact (State House News Service 5/16)
Tribal casino deal brings heat (AP 5/16)
Taunton Casino Faces Legislative Scrutiny (WBUR 5/15)
Mashpee tribal chairman says he expects federal ruling soon on land-in-trust request (The Boston Business Journal 5/15)
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