Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe faces deadlines for gaming plans

Tuesday, January 3, 2012  

This year will be an important one for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts.

The tribe has until July 31, 2012, to negotiate a Class III gaming compact with the state. The tribe also must have a gaming site in place and schedule a vote in the host community.

Land is a big issue for the tribe as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar. The decision restricts the land-into-trust process to tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" as of 1934.

The tribe didn't gain federal recognition until May 2007. A bill to fix the decision has stalled in Congress.

Get the Story:
Wampanoag tribe expected to announce casino plan in 2012 (The Cape Cod Times 1/2)

Also Today:
Scott W. Lang: Casino-siting process requires openness and diligence (The Cape Cod Times 1/3)