The Massachusetts Senate is set to begin debate on a bill [Summary | Full Text] to authorize three casino resorts.

The bill does not include a tribal preference. It requires a tribal applicant for a casino to submit to all state civil and criminal laws and to waive its rights under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The bill authorizes the state to enter into a Class III gaming compact with one tribe. The deal must be negotiated within a year and the tribe must share revenues "of equal or greater value" to those shared by non-Indian operators of the casinos.

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe want to open casinos at sites in Fall River. Some amendments being proposed would clear the way for the Mashpee casino.

State officials and lawmakers believe the Aquinnah gave up their gaming rights under a land claim settlement, which the the tribe disputes.

Get the Story:
Wampanoag tribes jockey for position (South Coast Today 6/23)
Late filings swell casino bill (The New Bedford Standard-Times 6/23)

Related Stories:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe offered compromise on casino bid (6/22)
Massachusetts gaming bill forces tribes to follow state laws (6/21)
Massachusetts governor not bothered by rival tribal casino (6/10)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe asserts reservation casino rights (6/9)
Wampanoag tribes make case for casinos in Massachusetts (6/8)
Opinion: Taking a huge gamble on gaming in Massachusetts (6/7)
Opinion: Learning lessons from tribal casinos in Connecticut (6/7)
Massachusetts gaming bill authorizes just one tribal casino (6/4)
Gaming bill in Massachusetts reserves one casino for tribes (6/3)
Column: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino a risky gamble (6/3)
Massachusetts governor addresses Wampanoag casino bid (6/2)
Editorial: Playing the odds on Mashpee Wampanoag casino (5/28)
City approves sale of land for Mashpee Wampanoag casino (5/27)
Tribal rights an issue as Massachusetts weighs gaming bill (5/26)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe presents casino project to city (5/25)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe to present another casino plan (5/24)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe commissions poll on new casino (5/21)
Town weighs options on Mashpee Wampanoag gaming deal (5/20)
City council members against Mashpee Wampanoag casino (5/19)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe switches location for casino bid (5/18)
Mashpee Wampanaog Tribe announces new casino location (5/17)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe negotiates for a new casino site (5/14)
Town presses Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe about casino bid (5/12)