The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe paid $1.5 million to the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, for agreeing to host a casino.

The payment covers pre-mitigation costs of the $500 million casino. It was due within 30 days of the Legislature's approval of the tribe's Class III gaming compact, The Cape Cod Times reported.

The tribe previously paid $340,000 to the city for a referendum. Voters endorsed the casino by a large margin in June.

Overall, the tribe agreed to pay $33 million up front in mitigation costs and to make annual payments to the city to address impacts of the casino. The payments will be based on a percentage of electronic gaming revenues.

Get the Story:
Mashpee tribe issues $1.5M payout to Taunton (The Cape Cod Times 8/23)
Mashpee Wampanoag give Taunton $1.5 million initial casino payment (The Taunton Daily Gazette 8/23)

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