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Sen. Warren plans to vote for repeal of Massachusetts casino law

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts). Photo from Sen. Warren
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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) said she will vote to repeal H.3702, the Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act.

The law is on the November ballot. Repealing it would end plans by the Mohegan Tribe to open a commercial casino in the state.

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“It’s a tough call here. People need jobs, but gambling can be a real problem economically for a lot of people," Warren said earlier this week, The Boston Herald reported. "I didn’t support gambling the first time around and I don’t expect to support it (now).”

Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, tribes can engage in the same types of gaming that are legal in a state. So repealing the law might also prevent the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe from opening a casino.

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The Bureau of Indian Affairs, however, has already approved the tribe's Class III gaming compact. And the agency just published the final environmental impact statement for the proposed $500 million First Light Resort and Casino in the city of Taunton.

Public comments are being accepted on the EIS, after which the BIA will issue a record of decision on the tribe's land-into-trust application for the 170-acre gaming site and another 151-acre site in the town of Mashpee, where the tribe's headquarters are located.

Get the Story:
State congressional delegation is split on casino question (The Taunton Daily Gazette 9/5)
Environmental Report Brings Tribe Closer To Building Massachusetts Casino (AP 9/4)
Elizabeth Warren: I will vote to repeal Bay State casino law (The Boston Herald 9/2)

Federal Register Notice:
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Fee-to-Trust Transfer of Property and Subsequent Development of a Resort/Hotel and Ancillary Facilities in the City of Taunton, MA and Tribal Government Facilities in the Town of Mashpee, MA by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (September 5, 2014) Related Stories:
BIA publishes final report on Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino bid (9/4)
Mohegan Tribe still plans to market tribal casino in Massachusetts (9/4)