Mashpee Tribe Approves Casino Deal

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has voted to accept an agreement with Governor Deval Patrick to build a tribal casino in Taunton.

Tribal council voted 7-to-1 last night to accept the latest version of the deal, which the governor thinks will pass federal scrutiny. A previous deal between the state and the tribe was struck down by the federal government last October.

The agreement comes two days before the state Gaming Commission talks about ending the tribe's exclusive window for opening a casino in southeastern Massachusetts and opening bidding to other companies.