The Massachusetts House voted 123-32 to pass H.3702, a bill to legalize full-scale gaming.

The bill authorizes casinos in three regions. The casino in Region C -- the southeastern part of the state -- is reserved for "a federally recognized Indian tribe."

The bill has been interpreted to limit the state to one tribal casino and one Class III gaming compact. Another provision requires the compact to be negotiated by July 31, 2012.

However, the House approved an amendment that removes the deadline. The state can open up Region C to non-tribal entities only if a court rules that a tribe's gaming rights are invalid.

Massachusetts is home to the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Both tribes are interested in gaming and want to negotiate a compact.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

Get the Story:
House lawmakers approve casino plan (The Cape Cod Times 9/15)
Massachusetts House approves casino gambling (The Boston Globe 9/15)
DeLeo on casino bill: ‘I feel pretty good about it’ (State House News Service 9/14)

Related Stories:
Tribes gear up for debate on casino measure in Massachusetts (9/14)
Opinion: Hypocrisy over tribal gaming plan in Massachusetts (9/13)
Editorial: Gaming bill gives free pass for Massachusetts tribes (9/8)
Bill offers 'small window' for a tribal casino in Massachusetts (9/7)
Opinion: Tribal casino in Massachusetts unlikely without land fix (9/6)
Editorial: Tribal interests put ahead of others in Massachusetts (8/29)
Gaming interests oppose tribal provision in Massachusetts bill (8/26)
Massachusetts gaming bill provides for just one tribal compact (8/25)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe still looking to find land for a casino (8/24)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe praises Massachusetts gaming bill (8/23)