The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe must clear some more hurdles in its quest for a casino in southeastern Massachusetts.
As a newly recognized tribe, the Mashpees qualify for an exception in Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn said in a letter this week. But the tribe still needs to gain approval of its land-into-trust application and its Class III gaming compact before moving forward. The BIA has promised a final decision on the application later this spring. The compact has yet to be finalized but negotiations with the state are ongoing. Get the Story: