A Martha’s Vineyard –based Indian tribe claims it has won federal approval to open a gambling facility on the island.
The announcement by the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah to convert an unfinished community center into a temporary gaming facility adds a new wrinkle to the fledgling gambling industry in Massachusetts. Casino policy expert Clyde Barrow says the process of licensing commercial casinos is currently in disarray because some projects have been rejected in local votes while other casino operators have not yet passed strict background checks.
The Martha’s Vineyard based Indian tribe could operate high stakes bingo and similar electronic games, but would need to negotiate an agreement with the Patrick administration to have casino-style table games.
