Casino Stalker | Regulation

Tribes outspent in lobbying race over casinos in Massachusetts

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Artist's rendering of proposed First Light Resort and Casino. Image from Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

Non-Indian gaming interests have easily outspent tribes in the battle to open casinos in Massachusetts.

The Boston Globe reviewed state lobbying records from 2007 to 2013 and found that more than $16.5 million was spent by gaming interests. Of that amount, the biggest expenditures came from non-Indian companies, including a racetrack that spent $3.275 million, the largest amount, and billionaire-owned Wynn Resorts, which spent $1.5 million.

Of the three tribes pursuing casinos in the state, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe by far spent the most -- $1.85 million on lobbying, according to the Globe. The tribe plans to build the $500 million First Light Resort and Casino in the city of Taunton and is waiting for approval of its land-into-trust application from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut came in second, with $370,000 in lobbying expenditures over the eight years. The tribe is bidding on a commercial license in hopes of building the $1 billion Mohegan Sun Massachusetts near Boston.

The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe spent the least -- only $120,000 between 2007 and 2013. The tribe wants to build a Class II facility on its reservation but the state is litigating the matter in court.

Get the Story:
Casino Interests Have Spent Over $16.5m on Lobbyists Since 2007 (The Boston Globe 7/15)