Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe continues work on gaming project

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Cheryl Andrews-Maltais serves as chairwoman of the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe. Photo Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe is still working on plans for a long-delayed gaming facility in Massachusetts.

Last year, the tribe secured a historic court decision confirming its right to engage in gaming on its reservation. Plans call for a Class II facility in the town of Aquinnah though details are still being worked out.

“The tribe understands your concern and interest in our gaming project and looks forward to meeting with you once we have more fully developed our plans and have more certainty around the details of the project," Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais said in a letter to local officials that was quoted in the local media.

The tribe is working with Global Gaming Solutions, a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation, on the casino. The Chickasaws were a pioneer in Class II gaming, which includes bingo and electronic forms of bingo.

The Wampanoags are currently limited to Class II games because the state refuses to negotiate a compact for Class III games such as slot machines, blackjack, poker and related offerings. Such games are already legal in Massachusetts.

The tribe's reservation is located on the island of Martha's Vineyard.

Read More on the Story

Tribe Responds to Town Letter Over Planned Bingo Hall (The Vineyard Gazette October 17, 2018)
Game on [second item] (The Martha's Vineyard Times October 17, 2018) $P

1st Circuit Court of Appeals Decision

Massachusetts v. Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) (April 11, 2017)