Artist's rendering of proposed First Light Resort and Casino. Image from Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
The two federally-recognized tribes in Massachusetts are paying close attention to an election that will impact their gaming rights. This November, voters will consider a referendum to repeal H.3702, the Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act. The outcome will affect tribes because the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act only allows them to engage in the same types of games that are already legal in a state. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has a Class III gaming compact that was allowed to go into effect by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Repealing the law might affect the agreement. "The tribe is committed to Project First Light and our focus is on moving forward," Chairman Cedric Cromwell told The Cape Cod Times, referring to the $500 million First Light Resort and Casino in the city of Taunton. The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe is also pursuing a casino. But Chairman Tobias Vanderhoop said the outcome of the vote won't affect plans for a Class II facility. "Class II gaming is not impacted by state law," Vanderhoop told the Times. "We will continue with our casino project and look forward to the opportunities it will provide for our tribal members and the local community." In other states, certain gaming laws have been repealed without an effect on tribes. But the situation in Massachusetts appears to be different because casino-style games weren't legal at all until the passage of the Expanded Gaming Act. "This is very much a gray area," professor Matthew Fletcher told the Times. "We haven't had this scenario before so it's very much an open question." Get the Story:
State court allows casino vote on ballot (The Cape Cod Times 6/25)
Massachusetts Residents Will Now Vote On Casinos (KNPR 6/25)
Voters to decide fate of Massachusetts gaming law (AP 6/25)
Mass. High Court: Casino Repeal Will Go To A Vote (The Hartford Courant 6/25)
Referendum decision hangs over Massachusetts casino hearings (The New London Day 6/25) Related Stories:
Massachusetts court allows referendum on casino law repeal (6/24)
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