Governor urges wait for Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino bid

Monday, April 8, 2013

Artist's rendering of proposed First Light Resort and Casino. Image from Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission should give the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe more time to pursue its casino bid, Gov. Deval Patrick (D) said on Friday.

The commission plans to vote next week on opening up southeastern Massachusetts to non-Indian bidders. Patrick said the tribe needs time for its Class III gaming compact and land-into-trust application to be approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

"I think leaving things as they are while this process of getting the compact approved in the Legislature and in the (Bureau of Indian Affairs) is appropriate," Patrick told members of the media on a conference call, The Cape Cod Times reported.

The BIA has promised a decision on the land-into-trust application this spring. A decision on the compact is possible by the end of the summer if state lawmakers ratify it within the next month or so.

Get the Story:
Patrick favors giving Mashpee tribe more time (The Cape Cod Times 4/6)
Region could have commercial casino (The Taunton Daily Gazette 4/7)

An Opinion:
Editorial: Gaming panel’s power (The Boston Herald 4/8) Related Stories:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe faces competition on casino plan (4/5)