4th Massachusetts casino possible

BOSTON (WWLP) - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is considering the possibility of allowing commercial developers submit casino proposals in southeastern Massachusetts, making room for a possible fourth casino in the state.

Concerned that the Southeast region will fall behind in the casino licensing process, gaming commissioners are drafting a tentative plan to begin commercial casino background checks.  The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe negotiated a deal with the state to have exclusive gaming rights in the area, but the deal was rejected by the federal government.  Though the Commission recognizes the rights of the tribe, they don't want the southeast region to lose any opportunities.

"We ought to think about how to keep everybody's options open and then look at how events develop and make decisions later when we have more facts to deal with,” Gaming Commissioner James McHugh said.

Commission members said if the Mashpee Wampanoags fail to secure land in trust from the federal government, they could immediately consider a commercial casino proposal.

In this letter, the Wampanoag tribe wrote to the Commission that their right to acquire land for casino development is "inevitable."