Attorney General Maura Healey’s office said on Thursday that it had reviewed the complaint about Plainridge Park Casino filed by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and had decided that no further actions would be taken on the matter.
Tribal officials submitted their complaint last month claiming that the addition of electronic table games at the gambling venue, which is to have its official launch on June 24, breached the Expanded Gaming Act the state had signed with the tribe.
The Mashpee Wampanoags have been trying to open a casino in Taunton, which is about 20 miles away from Plainville, for quite some time now. According to tribal officials, the opening of Plainridge Park Casino would result in their potential venue losing up to $30 million in gaming revenue.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission allowed its only slot parlor licensee to run as many as 1,250 slot machines and electronic table games. However, the electronic table games would allow more players to place bets at the same time. With that said, the gambling venue could have up to 1,500 people playing at its premises.
Furthermore, Plainridge Park Casino is located outside Region C of the state. Under its agreement with Massachusetts, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe would have to pay 17% of its gross gaming revenue, provided that it opens a gambling venue. However, if a casino is launched in Southeastern Massachusetts, or Region C, the tribe would not have to contribute a portion of its revenue to the state.
Plainridge Park Casino is the first gambling venue to open doors on the territory of the state and its only licensed slot parlor. Three fully-fledged casinos are to be built in the years to come. Apart from slot machines and electronic table games, those will also feature table games run by live dealers.
The venue was granted on Thursday an operating certificate by the state Gaming Commission so as to become the first gambling venue on the territory of Massachusetts. The $225-million slot parlor, which is to be run by casino operator Penn National Gaming, will open doors next Wednesday.
Apart from the operating certificate, the state gaming regulator also granted the venue a temporary certificate for Monday so as for a trial run of its operations to be conducted.
Apart from slot machines and electronic table games, Plainridge Park Casino will also feature a number of food and beverage as well as entertainment options.
