The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, one of two federally recognized tribes in Massachusetts, was granted on Friday the much-needed federal approval to take two large portions of land in Southeastern Massachusetts in control so that it can build a $500-million casino in Taunton on one of those.
The tribe was recognized by the federal government in 2007 after decades of trying to convince officials that its people had always been unified and that it had had its own government. After the Friday decision, the Mashpee Wampanoags will be able to treat a total of 150 acres of land in Taunton and more than 170 acres in Mashpee as their own reservation land. Up until yesterday, the said tracts were controlled by the tribe but were not considered reservation land.
Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell said that now that the land is in their possession, they will move forward with their casino plan.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ decision to give the tribe the permission to control the land had immediate consequences on Massachusetts’ gambling industry. The state Gaming Commission is currently considering a proposal for a hotel and casino resort in Brockton for the Region C or Southeastern Massachusetts casino license.
However, under a 2013 compact between Massachusetts and the Mashpee Wampanoags, the tribe would annually pay 17% of its gaming revenue to the state, provided that its casino does not have any competition in the region.
Mass Gaming & Entertainment, the business entity in charge of the Brockton casino plan, said on Friday that they will do their best to eventually complete and open their proposed gambling venue, which is to be located on the Brockton Fairgrounds.
Being a federally recognized tribe and after the Friday decision, the Mashpee Wampanoags have every right to open a casino on their land whenever they want to. What is more, they will not have to share their revenue with the state. However, Mr. Cromwell said that they plan to stick to the 2013 compact with Massachusetts.
Residents of Taunton had already welcomed the possibility for a casino to be opened in the city at a citywide vote. If this happens, the tribe will annually contribute $8 million to Taunton and another $5 million to its fire and police departments, and schools.
However, the tribe may face another setback before being able to open its casino. The Friday decision may be appealed in court and it may take years before everything is settled.
Mass Gaming & Entertainment said in a Friday statement that it is ready to provide the Southeastern Massachusetts region as well as the state as a whole with gaming revenue, the necessary jobs, and economic boost. It only needs to be granted Massachusetts’ third and last license for a fully-fledged casino.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission, too, released a statement following the Friday decision. However, it did not reveal whether it would take into consideration the 2013 compact with the tribe and would grant it the right to operate the sole casino in Southeastern Massachusetts. Commissioners are to further discuss the matter and are expected to provide more information in the weeks to come.
