Massachusetts Tribe Loses Casino Lawsuit

Massachusetts Tribe Loses Casino Lawsuit

A U.S. federal judge decided to rule against several residents from Taunton who brought a lawsuit against the government in an effort to stop the Mashpee Wampanoag from making a casino come to life in the city.

The judge’s verdict in the Boston U.S. District Court granted summary judgment to the U.S. Department of the Interior, a department that had placed 321 acres of land into trust in Taunton and Mashpee. The tribe, which counts roughly 2,600 members, was the defendant in the legal battle.

Tribe vs Court

The tribe’s reservation only returns a small portion of its ancestral territory, however, in a public statement made on Monday, Tribal Chair Brian Weeden stated that the reservation is vital to the tribe’s ability to preserve their culture and language as well as exercise self-governance.

The plaintiffs, who are against the casino, argued in their lawsuit, which was filed in February 2022, that the current administration’s decision to affirm the tribe’s reservation was arbitrary, and illegal, as the tribe is ineligible for a reservation as it was not officially recognized as a tribe in 1934, the year the federal Indian Reorganization Act was enacted. The Mashpee Wampanoags were recognized by the federal government in 2007. Additionally, they claimed that Taunton was not part of the tribe’s historical domain in Cape Cod.

The judge’s ruling, however, stated that the record shows that the tribe in question has had a strong connection to their designated lands for north of 400 years and that the tribe has made a home for itself in the southeastern Massachusetts area for thousands of years, long before their first contact with Europeans, including the 1620 Pilgrims.

No End in Sight

This decision is somewhat of a breakthrough in a legal battle that has lasted for several years and has spanned 3 presidential administrations, regarding the land of the tribe and its right to construct a casino. The plans to make the billion-dollar project are on pause until further development. The tribe made a case for another casino project from 2016 dubbed First Light Resort and it was made up of several entertainment options, including a hotel, shopping, dining, and other sorts of facilities. However, the view on casinos in the region has changed significantly since then. Massachusetts now has two Vegas-like resort casinos, slots parlor included. Moreover, the state legalized sports betting just last month. There’s no telling how long the battle will take considering it has spanned so long.

About the author
Richard Grant
Say hello to Richard Grant! Armed with a Law and Business degree and 17 years of industry experience, he launched this platform in 2007 to be your ultimate guide to the casino world. Specializing in game guides, reviews, and strategic insights, Richard is devoted to helping you hit the jackpot. Come join us on this exciting journey toward big wins!

Related News

new casinos in texas

Texas Law Embraces New Casinos

The world of casinos is changing as certain brands have been expanding in their originating countries and abroad. Many US casino brands have expanded across the States and there’s a current wind…
Feb 09, 2023 Law and Regulation
Massachusetts Steps Into Sports Betting

Massachusetts Steps Into Sports Betting

Massachusetts sports enthusiasts are now able to place wagers on their favorite teams, as the state launches sports betting in casinos earlier than expected. The launch comes ahead of the highly anticipated…
Feb 01, 2023 Law and Regulation
Nittany Mall Mini-Casino Could Happen

Nittany Mall Mini-Casino Could Happen

There’s no doubt about the fact that casino brands are looking to expand as much as they can. Recently, there has been a certain expansion across the US with various brands vying…
Jan 16, 2023 Law and Regulation
Saks to Add Casino to Its Premises

Saks to Add Casino to Its Premises

Big casino brands have been applying for a license to put a casino at the heart of New York. But there’s still no telling who the chosen 3 brands will be. However,…
Jan 16, 2023 Law and Regulation
NYS will Charge $500M for a Casino License

NYS will Charge $500M for a Casino License

According to new state-approved laws, the licensed casino operators in New York City will have to pay a $500 million fee. Just recently, the New York Gaming Facility Board released a request…
Jan 06, 2023 Law and Regulation
Macau’s Operators Sign New Contracts

Macau’s Operators Sign New Contracts

The casino industry all over the world took a hit with the pandemic. The brands that relied on land-based casinos took a blow, but once the situation was under control, they got…
Dec 19, 2022 Law and Regulation
Chicago Casino to Be Raises Issues

Chicago Casino to Be Raises Issues

A new casino project is coming to life in Chicago. This is the new casino complex at the Medina Temple and it’s a Bally’s Resort Casino. It will bring much to the…
Nov 30, 2022 Law and Regulation
Macau Gives New Casino Licenses

Macau Gives New Casino Licenses

Macau is a region in China that’s well-known to casino fans all over the world. It has casinos that fuel its economy and plays a vital part in China’s economy. But because…
Nov 28, 2022 Law and Regulation
16-Year-Old Loses Thousands to Gaming

16-Year-Old Loses Thousands to Gaming

Gaming is fun to do in your free time, but if you don’t know when to stop then it will turn into an addiction. There are many gaming addicts that are afraid…
Nov 17, 2022 Law and Regulation
Westminster Introduces New Gaming Measures

Westminster Introduces New Gaming Measures

Regulations exist in the world of casinos to keep operators from crossing the line. They also exist to keep players in check as sometimes they can go against their regulations. That’s why…
Nov 16, 2022 Law and Regulation
Macau to Go Back to Normal

Macau to Go Back to Normal

Macau, and China in general, have had the most of it when it comes to COVID. The virus has spread across the country and has forced its officials to introduce strict regulations…
Nov 08, 2022 Law and Regulation
Australia to Introduce New Casino Ads

Australia to Introduce New Casino Ads

Australia has had a lot of things happen to its casino industry. Famous brand names have lost licenses or were fined because of not adhering to regulations. Also, the number of casino…
Nov 02, 2022 Law and Regulation