Massachusetts governor readies casino bill

Friday, October 5, 2007  

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) plans to file a casino gaming bill next week though details have not been finalized.

Patrick is proposing three commercial casinos around the state. He wants tribes to have preference for at least one of the casinos.

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe has expressed interest in bidding on a casino. The tribe has pursued gaming in the past but state lawmakers have yet to legalize casino-style gaming.

The newly recognized Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is already planning a casino through the federal government. The tribe has a land-into-trust application in southern Massachusetts, where one of the commercial casinos is supposed to be located.

Get the Story:
Gov. urges tribe to apply for casino license anywhere in state (The Cape Cod Times 10/5)
Middleborough eyes potential of a casino ballot rule (The Boston Globe 10/5)
Opposed to casino? Show me the money, senator tells task force (The New Bedford Standard-Times 10/5)