The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts says it can open a casino on existing trust land.

In 1987, Congress settled the tribe's land claim with a provision that subjects the reservation to the civil and criminal jurisdiction of the state. The law has been interpreted to bar gaming on the reservation, located on the island of Martha's Vineyard.

But the tribe has acquired another 480 acres on the island through the land-into-trust process. The land can be used for gaming, the tribe said on its gaming site, aquinnahgaming.com.

'There is no legal impediment for us to open a casino on our trust land," the tribe asserted.

The tribe is pursuing a casino off the island and has identified three potential sites. But in asking Gov. Deval Patrick (D) to negotiate a Class III gaming compact, the tribe brought up the possibility of using the Martha's Vineyard land.

Get the Story:
Aquinnah tribe eyes Martha's Vineyard for possible casino (GateHouse News Service 4/12)
Aquinnah tribe eyes island casino (The Cape Cod Times 4/13)
Aquinnah seek to build casino on Martha's Vineyard (The New Bedford Standard-Times 4/13)
Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe says it is still considering a casino on Martha’s Vineyard (Mass. Market 4/13)

An Opinion:
David Alves: Casinos all about location, location, location (The New Bedford Standard-Times 4/13)

Related Stories:
Town sets June 2 election for Aquinnah Wampanoag casino (4/6)