Mass. Senate Ratifies Mashpee Casino Compact

The Massachusetts Senate has approved a casino compact signed by Gov. Deval Patrick and the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.

The Senate approved the agreement through a voice vote Thursday.

The compact, which promises the state 21.5 percent of gaming revenues if the tribe succeeds in developing a resort casino in Taunton, will head to Patrick's desk once a final procedural vote is taken in each chamber. The House approved it last week.

Some lawmakers from southeastern Massachusetts have pushed for a compact deadline by which the tribe must earn federal approval to place the land into trust, saying the region could fall behind in casino development if the process drags on too long.

The tribe has released an environmental report showing the proposed casino would generate nearly $512 million in annual revenue.