Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe aims to open casino in the summer

Wednesday, December 12, 2018  

Details remain scarce about the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe and its long-awaited casino in Massachusetts.

A local official recently met with Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais to discuss the project, The Vineyard Gazette reported. But other than being told that the casino would be open in the summer of 2019, there was little new information about the forthcoming facility.

“This is the first time we have sat down and talked. It was a very good meeting," Jim Newman, the local official said on Tuesday, The Gazette reported. "Nothing has been signed or anything else. Rather, just discussion at this point. But it opened the way for us to start having a good dialogue.”

The tribe previously announced that it is working with Global Gaming Solutions, a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation. Plans call for a $12 million Class II facility on trust land in the town of Aquinnah, The Gazette reported.

The tribe is limited to Class II games like bingo and electronic forms of bingo. The Chickasaws were a pioneer in that industry before gaining approval to offer Class III games like slot machines and card games.

Class III games are legal in Massachusetts. But the state has so far refused to negotiate with the tribe.

The tribe had to go to court to confirm its right to engage in gaming on the reservation, which is located on the island of Martha's Vineyard.

Tribe's Casino Plans Stay Mostly Under Wraps (The Vineyard Gazette December 12, 2018)

Massachusetts v. Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) (April 11, 2017)

Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe continues work on gaming project (October 17, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe solidifying plans for long-awaited casino (September 10, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe lands big partner for gaming project (August 22, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe still working on casino after court victory (July 20, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe moves forward with Class II gaming facility (January 11, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe hails win in long-running sovereignty case (January 10, 2018)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe scores big win in long-running sovereignty case (January 8, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe in limbo as Supreme Court delays sovereignty dispute (December 11, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe awaits action from Supreme Court in sovereignty case (November 28, 2017)
Casino opponents ask Supreme Court to hear Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe case (August 9, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe must wait to restart work on casino (May 23, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe hails another win in gaming dispute (May 12, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe sees more opposition to gaming win (April 25, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe must keep fighting despite gaming win (April 21, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe welcomes decision in gaming dispute (April 17, 2017)
Aquinnah Wampanaog Tribe scores major win in sovereignty case (April 11, 2017)