Lawmaker cites hurdles facing Mashpee casino

Friday, March 7, 2008

A Massachusetts state lawmakers says the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe faces many hurdles in its casino quest.

Rep. Daniel Bosley, a Democrat, opposes gaming. He says Gov. Deval Patrick (D) and Patrick's supporters are wrong to call a Mashpee casino "inevitable."

“There are so many different hoops the Wampanoags have to jump through," Bosley told The Boston Herald. "The Bush administration has denied 11 (tribal) applications in a row," he said, referring to the recent rejection of 11 off-reservation casino proposals.

The Mashpees aren't seeking a casino under the same provisions of law as the tribes that were rejected. But the tribe will has a long way to go towards "inevitable."

First, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has to develop an environmental impact statement for the tribe's proposed casino. The process will take at least 18 months, possibly longer. Lawsuits could tie up the matter some more.

Then, National Indian Gaming Commission will have to approve the tribe's gaming ordinance, which normally doesn't take a lot of time. But if the tribe submits a management agreement for the casino, the review could take months.

Finally, the tribe has to negotiate a Class III compact with the state. The BIA also has to approve any agreement.

Bosley endorsed Patrick during the gubernatorial campaign. Patrick's proposal to legalize three commercial casinos was one of his first major decisions.

Get the Story:
Bosley blasts Deval over tribal casino (The Boston Herald 3/7)
Chamber looks at casinos (The Boston Herald 3/7)
Study: Casino plan overstates jobs (The Cape Cod Times 3/7)
New report backs Patrick's casino estimates (AP 3/7)