Tribal recognition for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe became final on the stroke of midnight on Wednesday, following federal approval in February. The tribe can now open a Class II gaming facility without approval from the state of Massachusetts but the Legislature would need to approve Class III commercial gambling before the tribe could upgrade. According to a tribal spokesman, the plan is for a full destination resort casino and it is hoped that the Massachusetts’ Legislature will vote on casinos before long.

On Thursday, just one day after the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe became officially recognised, it was revealed that the Massachusetts Treasurer wants to beat the tribe into the casino gambling business. Tim Cahill is suggesting a state partnership with private enterprise to develop one or more destination resort casinos. He puts forward the well versed argument that many residents already cross the state borders to gamble in Rhode Island and Connecticut. With lack of growth in lottery revenue, an expansion in gambling looks attractive to the Treasurer – perhaps as much as US$1 billion a year in extra state funding.

Governor Deval Patrick has called for a report on the subject of expanded gambling and is expected to make a recommendation later this summer on whether the gambling question should once again be considered by the Legislature. Last year a slot machine proposal was thrown out by the House. House Speaker Sal DiMasi has very quickly denounced the Cahill proposal as flawed and unsound financially. DiMasi contends that if Massachusetts legalised casinos then the Mashpee Wampanoag would be entitled to open their own casino, so negotiations to agree a compact should come before changes to the law. (E-05.25.07)

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