Deal reached with Mashpee Wampanoag

TAUNTON, Mass. (WWLP) - The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe signed a casino compact with the Commonwealth.  Governor Deval Patrick made the announcement on Wednesday. 

This deal will allow the Mashpee Wampanoag to create a resort-style casino in southeast Massachusetts (Region C).  It is expected to build in Taunton.

The Mashpee Wampanoag doesn't have to follow the regulations in the Expanded Gaming Act.  Although the deal establishes guidelines for a potential tribal casino that are consistent with the policies in the Act. 

Here's how the state will make money.  The Commonwealth will get 21% of tribe revenues as long as this is the only casino operating in the state.  Once another casino opens, the state will only receive 17% of the tribe's revenue.  If a slots parlor opens in Region C (Southeast Massachusetts), the revenue rate will fall to 15%. 

A majority of the state legislature needs to approve this deal.  After that, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has 45 days to decide if it will approve the compact.