Over the Massachusetts border in Connecticut are two of the world’s largest casino complexes. Foxwoods and the Mohegan Sun, run by the Mashantucket Pequots and the Mohegan tribes, are major employers and their slot machines contribute US$400 million a year to Connecticut state coffers. Massachusetts has long debated the gaming question and only recently voted against a proposal to put slot machines at the state’s four racetracks.

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe received initial federal recognition in April this year when the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) gave notice of a proposed finding for federal acknowledgment of the Tribal Council. The announcement stated that the BIA has determined that the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council of Massachusetts satisfied all seven mandatory criteria in the requirements for a government-to government relationship with the United States. If the decision stands then Massachusetts, which presently has no gaming, would have to consider a tribal gaming compact should state gambling be permitted.

Christopher F Gabrielli, a gubernatorial candidate, has made public his support for legalizing casino gambling in the state. The creation of employment and the boost to tourism are behind his support, as well as keeping some of the gambling dollars that presently are spent in Connecticut – estimated to be almost US$900 million from Massachusetts residents. Casino tax revenue would also help avoid property tax increases.

Another Democratic Candidate, Attorney General Thomas F Reilly, has said he is in favour of licensing casinos but a third, Deval Patrick, opposes the move. Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey is known to consider approval for slot machines, as is Independent candidate Christy Mihos. However, neither of them would back casinos.

The debate on whether to expand gaming from the state lottery, which was created by the legislature in 1971 in response to the need for revenues for the 351 cities and towns of the Commonwealth, will continue. So far the state has resisted the urge to implement its finances with more gaming taxes, but the not so distant sound of slot machines at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun must remain a siren call to many. (E-08.02.06)

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