Mashpee Wampanoag to Pursue Casino

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe must do two things to open a casino in Massachusetts. The first is to get federal approval for a reservation on which the tribe would run a casino. That review is already underway.

The second is to negotiate a compact with the state that legalizes casino gambling and spells out how the tribe would run its operation. The compact also establishes a state/tribe profit sharing agreement.

The Mashpee say it is time to begin compact talks and avoid delaying casino revenue. But Governor Deval Patrick may not be ready. There are conflicting views about whether it is in the state's interest to hammer out casino details before the Mashpee have federal land approval.

Also, the Governor may be reluctant to help the tribe advance their plans when the administration has not decided whether to refile a bill that would allow up to three casinos.

A spokeswoman would only say that the Governor is reviewing the Mashpee letter.