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Massachusetts Casino News 2024

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Massachusetts adopted a new casino law in November 2011 which authorizes the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) to license 3 regional casinos and one slots parlor.

The law developed from a casino proposal first made in 2007 by Governor Deval Patrick. His original plan and the years of debates leading to passage of the Massachusetts casino bill are chronicled in news articles below.

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News Headlines

2022

News Mashpee Wampanoag ruling may restart Taunton casino project January 3, 2022 - A new ruling from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) confirms and secures the reservation status of 321 acres in Mashpee and Taunton owned by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. ... Read more News New Year 2022 Will See New States Add Sports Betting January 1, 2022 - Thirty three states have legalized sports betting since the Supreme Court removed the ban on May 14, 2018. Nine of these states legalized sports betting in 2021. Four more states will likely follow ... Read more

2021

News Aquinnah tribe loses appeal in Martha's Vineyard casino case April 19, 2021 - The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) suffered a setback last week when a federal appeals court rejected the tribe's request for an en banc review of their case to build a casino ... Read more News Aquinnah Tribe appeals latest court decision March 17, 2021 - The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has appealed last month's ruling by the First Circuit of Appeals Court that halted construction of the Aquinnah Cliffs Casino pending a review by Martha's Vineyard's ... Read more News Tribes are devastated after one year of COVID-19 March 18, 2021 - As the Covid-19 pandemic began spreading across our nation last year, its impact became the most deadly in our tribal communities. Tribal economies also collapsed as casinos were shut down ... Read more News Aquinnah lose appeal case against Martha's Vineyard February 28, 2021 - The U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last week that the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) must work with the Martha's Vineyard Commission and town planners ... Read more News Mashpee Tribe wins casino victory to proceed February 19, 2021 - Yesterday the U.S. Interior Department withdrew its court appeal in the Mashpee tribe's land-in-trust case, which effectively now returns 151 acres of land in Taunton into federal trust for a casino. ... Read more News Will Taunton casino project resurrect under Biden Administration? January 25, 2021 - The $1 billion Native American casino proposed for Taunton, Massachusetts by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe may have a better chance of approval under the Biden Administration ... Read more

2020

News Tribal land dispute over proposed Taunton casino December 16, 2020 - The Mattakeeset Tribe claims ancestral land rights to the Taunton casino site proposed by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and are seeking formal recognition of their land claim from ... Read more News Mashpee Wampanoag Chairman is indicted for bribery and extortion November 17, 2020 - Federal prosecutors in Boston have filed bibery and extortion changes against the Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the owner of a design company ... Read more News Judge sides with Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe against DOI June 13, 2020 - A U.S. district judge in Washington DC has issued a summary judgment to stop the Department of Interior (DOI) from rescinding the reservation status of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe ... Read more News Fed court places hold on DOI from taking Mashpee land out of trust April 5, 2020 - A federal court has ordered the Interior Department to stop its removal of the reservation land from trust until May 15 while the court considers a request from the tribe for ... Read more News Mashpee Wampanoag loses reservation status March 29, 2020 - In a letter from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs last week, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe was informed of the decision of U.S. Secretary of the Interior to "disestablish" the tribe's reservation ... Read more News Mashpee Wampanoag lose in U.S. Appeals Court March 1, 2020 - A U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a lower court decision against the 2015 transfer of land owned by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe into federal trust for the purpose of building a tribal casino. ... Read more

2019

News Aquinnah Tribe asks court to resume casino construction July 14, 2019 - The Aquinnah Tribe is asking a U.S. District Court for a stay in last month's ruling by Judge Dennis Saylor 4th that halts construction of the tribe's casino pending local permits. ... Read more News First Light Casino Project Expects Final Outcome on Oct 15 July 8, 2019 - The legal battle of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to build a $1B casino resort in Taunton could reach a final conclusion by the DC District Court on Oct 15. ... Read more News Grand Opening of the Encore Boston Harbor June 23, 2019 - The $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts opened to the public this morning. Over 50,000 visitors were welcomed. The ceremonies included a ribbon cutting, speeches and a fireworks show. ... Read more News Aquinnah Cliffs Casino construction on Martha's Vineyard is halted pending local permits June 18, 2019 - A federal circuit judge has ruled the Aquinnah Tribe has the right to build a casino without state or local permission, but it must comply with the local zoning and permitting ordinances ... Read more News U.S. House Passes Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Bill May 15, 2019 - The House passed HR Bill 312 to reaffirm the reservation land of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and allowing construction of the First Light Resort and Casino. ... Read more News Trump's Tweet Stops Warren Casino Bill May 8, 2019 - Two bills in the U.S. House that would reinstate the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino project were both pulled from a House vote today after a tweet by Pres. Trump. ... Read more News Encore Boston Harbor Will Open June 23 April 26, 2019 - After three years of construction at a cost of $2.6 billion, Encore Boston Harbor is preparing to open its doors to the public on June 23. The 3 million-square-foot resort will feature 3,158 slot machines, 143 table games, five-star 27-story hotel tower, ... Read more News Construction Begins on Aquinnah Cliffs Casino February 25, 2019 - Construction has begun with site preparation at the new Aquinnal casino on Marth's Vineyard. After a long and successful legal fight with state and local governments, the Aquinnah Tribe's casino is becoming reality. ... Read more News Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Re-affirmation Bill Goes to Congress January 8, 2019 - The Mashpee tribe hopes Congress will take a new look at a bill to keep the tribe's reservation land in federal trust and allow the tribe to proceed with its casino plans. ... Read more

2018

News Mohegan Sun ready to buy Encore Boston Harbor December 01, 2018 - If state regulators decide to revoke the gaming license issued to Wynn Resorts for the Encore Boston Harbor casino, the Mohegan Sun will offer to buy the casino for $2.5 billion. ... Read more News Aquinnah Tribe partners with Chickasaw for casino at Martha's Vineyard August 22, 2018 - The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has partnered with the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma to develop a Class II casino on Marth's Vineyard. ... Read more News Taunton Casino Plan Appears Dead September 7, 2018 - A federal judge has stopped the U.S. Interior Department from transferring 300 acres of tribal land into federal trust. This may effectively end the Taunton casino project. ... Read more News Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reaffirmation Act would allow construction of Taunton casino June 21, 2018 - A proposed bill called the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reaffirmation Act to allow building the Taunton casino is gaining support. ... Read more News Everett Casino is renamed Encore Boston Harbor (opens summer 2019) May 1, 2018 - Due to the allegations against Steve Wynn, the company decided to rebrand the Wynn Boston Harbor casino project. The $2.5 billion casino hotel will open in summer 2019. ... Read more News MGM Springfield announces earlier opening date of August 24 April 26, 2018 - The new MGM Springfield will open August 24th at a cost of $960 million and taking nearly seven years to complete. It is located in the Downton-South End area off of I-90 and Main Street. ... Read more News MGM Springfield announces 1,000 new job openings
April 2, 2018 - When the MGM Springfield opens in September 22018 it will need 1,000 hirees for opening day and up to 3,000 for operation of the MGM Springfield properties. ... Read more
News Aquinnah Victory! Supreme Court Clears Way for Gambling Hall   01.08.2018 - An announcement has been made by the United States Supreme Court that the petition submitted by Massachusetts and local officials will not be heard against the proposed Martha's Vineyard ... Read more Headlines continued...
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News Headlines Continued

2017

12.28.2017 Mashpee close Taunton Casino Office 10.12.2017 Plainridge Park Casino brings in $100M from out-of-state gambling 06.28.2017 Mashpee ends effort for federal land trust for casino site 12.13.2016 Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Continues Fight for Taunton Casino

2016

08.24.2016   Motion Filed to Protect Mashpee Tribal Land Ruling
08.10.2016   Massachusetts to Recieve $300M From Casinos
06.21.2016   MGM Springfield Wants Legislation to Stop CT Tribal Casino
06.08.2016   Plainridge Park Casino Money to Fund New Town Buildings
06.06.2016   Martha's Vineyard Casino Supported by Dept of Justice
05.14.2016   First Light Resort and Casino Hosts Job Fair
04.24.2016   MA Gaming Commission to Decide on Third Gaming License
04.05.2016   First Light Resort & Casino Breaks Ground
03.15.2016   Wynn Remains Interested in Boston Harbor Casino Project
03.04.2016   Taunton Casino Hosting Meeting with MA Gaming Commission
02.27.2016   Construction at Wynn Casino MA Stopped
02.12.2016   New Lawsuit Filed Against Wynn Casino Everett
02.05.2016   Tribe Sued by Group Funded by Brocton Casino Developer
01.22.2016   Plainridge Park Blames Media for Revenue Decline
01.20.2016   Green Building Cert Awarded to Plainridge Park Casino
01.08.2016   Land Approved for Mashpee Wampanoag and Future Casino Site

2015

12.24.2015   Motion to Reconsider Aquinnah Casino Rejected
11.30.2015   MGM Springfield to Fight Against East Hartford Casino Bill
11.24.2015   Aquinnah to Appeal Fed Judge Ruling Against Bingo Hall
11.12.2015   Land Placed into Trust for Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
08.31.2015   BIA Clarifies Letter for Mashpee Casino Issues
08.11.2015   Wynn to Payout $850M for Everett Casino Resort
07.24.2015   New Bedford Casino Developers No Longer Interested
07.13.2015   Proposed Aquinnah Casino to Have New Vote
06.24.2015   Plainridge Park Casino Opens
06.23.2015   Voters Approve New Bedford Casino
06.18.2015   The First Casino in MA Prepares to Open
06.15.2015   Plainridge Park Casino wants New Address
05.20.2015   Possible Tribal Casino Slows MA Casino Decision
05.15.2015   Proposed Somerset Casino Drops Out
05.12.2015   Voters Approve Proposed Brockton Casino
05.11.2015   Brockton to Vote on Proposed Casino
04.23.2015   Mayor Questions Plans for Tiverton Casino
03.24.2015   Ground Broken at MGM Springfield
03.19.2015   Proposed New Bedford casino Strikes Deal
03.05.2015   Mohegan Sun Casino to Build Earth Hotel
01.05.2015   Aquinnah Casino Hearing to Take Place

2014

12.30.2014   Wynn Unveils New Boston Casino Design
12.28.2014   Design Change for Boston Area Wynn Casino Project
12.09.2014   Players to Set Own Betting Limits at Plainridge Park Casino
11.20.2014   Deadline for MA Region C Casino License May be Postponed
11.04.2014   Question 3 Rejected by MA Voters
11.01.2014   MA Voters Showing Favor to Current Casino Law
10.31.2014   MA Voters to Decide on Move Forward with Casino Gambling
10.28.2014   Report for Everett Casino Postponed
10.23.2014   Wynn Resorts to Hold Environmental Meeting for Everett Casino
10.19.2014   Springfield to Host Casino Meeting with MGM
10.16.2014   Massachusetts Gaming Commission Sued by Suffolk Downs Workers
10.15.2014   MA to Vote on Casinos in November
09.29.2014   Amongst Voters Casinos are a Close Race
09.17.2014   Everett Casino Approved Means Suffolk Downs Closure
08.20.2014   Anti-Mashpee Wampanoag Casino Signs Posted
07.04.2014   Wording Of The Casino Ballet Measure May Be Confusing
06.20.2014   Northeast Gaming About to Reach Max Capacity
06.09.2014   Proposed MGM Casino Reviewed By MA Gaming Commission Friday
05.08.2014   Massachusetts Gaming Commission Votes Against City Votes
04.02.2014   New Environmental Study Needed for Proposed Revere Casino
04.01.2014   Mohegan Sun and Wynn Resorts Face New Challenge in MASS
03.13.2014   Foxwoods May Open Casino in Fall River
03.10.2014   Plainridge Park Casino To Break Ground Friday
02.25.2014   Mohegan Sun Revere Casino Plan Approved by Voters
02.06.2014   Possible Repeal of Casino Law in Mass.
01.20.2014   No New Casino Planned for Boston
01.18.2014   Mass. Gaming Commission to Review Casino Proposals
01.03.2014   Taunton Casino is a step closer

2013

12.02.2013   Suffolk Downs to be Remade by Mohegan Sun
11.21.2013   Massachusetts Gaming Law May Be Repealed
11.19.2013   Milford Foxwood Casino Bid Heads to the Polls
11.18.2013   Support for MA Casino Shown in Poll
11.15.2013   New Gaming Compact for The Mashpee Wampanoag to be signed
11.12.2013   Feds Approve Wampanoag Casino
10.29.2013   New casino operator needed at Suffolk Downs
09.10.2013   Hard Rock Hotel & Casino New England Gives Thanks
08.09.2013   MA Casino Applicants must have community approval
07.18.2013   Approved West Springfield Casino opposition will continue
07.17.2013   MGM to Meet with Massachusetts Gaming Commission over Springfield Casino
07.15.2013   Massachusetts Gaming Commission Discusses Proposed Casinos
07.14.2013   Mass to Vote on New MGM Springfield Casino on Tuesday
07.14.2014   MGM Springfield and Tax Relief Issues
07.10.2013   Traffic Plan Released for Mohegan Sun Palmer
07.06.2013   Protesters Against Springfield Casino
06.24.2013   Western Massachusetts Casino effect on Local Business
05.13.2013   Western Mass plans for Casinos
04.24.2013   Worcester Casino Plans released for Approval
04.20.2013   Mass Gaming Commission Approves Commercial Casino Developers over Tribe
03.14.2013   New Casino Compact to be signed by Mass Gov
03.04.2013   Mohegan Sun MA Shares Some but Not All Casino Details
02.11.2013   Casino Negotiations to be Hosted by Mayor Sarno
01.15.2013   11 Companies Gamble on a Chance to Build Casino
01.08.2013   Mass Resort Casinos May Take 6 Years To Open

2012

10.30.2012   Colleges plan courses to train future casino employees
10.12.2012   Fed reject's Mashpee tribe's compact with state
10.10.2012   Possible Mohegan Sun Casino in Palmer
10.09.2012   Massachusetts is now accepting applications for new casinos
10.02.2012   Holyoke Community College Develops Program for licensed casino positions
08.22.2012   MGM files application for Springfield casino
08.11.2012   Suffolk Downs files first Massachusetts casino application
08.10.2012   Plainridge Racecourse files first Massachusetts slots application
08.04.2012   Mashpee Wampanoag Casino Status - Latest Update!
06.14.2012   Mass. Economy and Casinos discussed at Public Meeting
06.12.2012   Local business impact discussed by Springfield Casino Committee
04.12.2012   Boston to have Casino Commission
04.09.2012   First meeting of Massachusetts gaming commission to be held Tuesday
01.26.2012   Crossroads Resort Plans to be Discussed Tonight

2011

12.07.2011   Attorney General Stops Casino Referendum
12.03.2011   Proposed MA Casinos could effect gaming in Neighboring States
11.22.2011    Massachusetts casino bill signed into law
11.16.2011   Mohegan Sun plans to expand to Palmer
11.16.2011   Former Westinghouse bought for Future Ameristar Casino Site
10.10.2011   Mass Casino Debate continues with Pros and Cons
09.22.2011    Change in Casino Bill wanted by Mass. Commission on Indian Affairs
09.20.2011   Massachusetts Prepares for Debate over Casino
06.20.2011   Massachusetts State Government Discusses Possible Casino Future
02.24.2011   Massachusetts Gaming support from Governor Patrick

2010

09.08.2010   Palmer still wants a casino
07.06.2010   Suffolk Downs details casino proposal
06.18.2010   Revised Senate bill doesn't guarantee Indian casino license
06.15.2010   Crossroads Casino proposed in Milford
05.25.2010   Aquinnah pitch competing Fall River casino plan
05.17.2010   Wampanoags Indian casino plan shifts to Fall River
04.15.2010   Massachusetts legislature legalizes 2 casinos and 3000 slots
04.09.2010    Indian casino resort supported in Palmer

2009

12.21.2009   Mashpee Indian casino hopes kept alive
09.28.2009   Mashpee Wampanoag's casino encouraged by Dorgan amendment
07.18.2009   Mohegan Sun Casino Palmer
07.16.2009   New Survey: Palmer residents support casino
04.17.2009   New House Speaker revives casino debate
04.05.2009   Mohegan Sun pitches Palmer casino to Massachusetts lawmakers
03.25.2009   Massachusetts Tribe Pursuing Political Fix
03.10.2009   U.S. Supreme Court ruling blocks Wampanoag casino
02.20.2009   Wampanoag tribe seeks casino talks

2008

11.03.2008   U.S. Supreme Court ruling in RI will affect Mashpee Casino
09.08.2008   Patrick rejects casino negotiations with tribe
09.03.2008   Wampanoag tribe ask Patrick to negotiate casino deal
08.11.2008   Study urges gaming compact with Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
06.10.2008   Patrick ready to negotiate Wampanoag casino compact
05.06.2008   Poll shows 57% now favor allowing casinos
04.07.2008   Mashpee tribal land deal approved by town residents
03.24.2008  Wampanoag Hope for Casino Approval
03.13.2008   First Discussion of an Indian Gaming Compact
03.06.2008   New Casino Study
03.05.2008   Middleboro Casino Hearing March 25th
02.06.2008   Gov Patrick Files Opposition to Indian Casino in Middleborough
01.08.2008   Fed Policy Change Complicates Middleboro Indian Casino
05.21.2008   House Speaker proposes referendum on casinos
05.21.2008   Senate seeks new study of casinos
03.20.2008   Governor's Casino Plan Dead 
03.19.2008   Committee Votes to Reject Patrick's Casino Proposal
03.19.2008   Gov. Patrick Concedes Defeat is Likely in House
03.18.2008   DiMasi Blasts Patrick's Casino Proposal

12.17.2007   Report Justifies a Fourth Casino
12.03.2007   Trump Discusses Revere Site for Casino

2007

11.15.2007   Casino Issue Will Not be on Primary Ballot
10.15.2007   Boston Mayor Supports Suffolk Downs Casino
10.11.2007   Govenor Patrick Sends Casino Gambling Bill to Legislature
10.04.2007   Local Voter Approval Required for Casinos
09.30.2007   Poll 53% Support Casino Plan
09.23.2007   Suffolk Downs Seeks Temporary Casino for 2008 Gaming
09.20.2007    Gov. Patrick's 2008 Gambling Bill
09.17.2007   Governor Will Propose Three Casinos for the State

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