Patrick Signs Casino Compact With Mashpee Wampanoags

Leaders of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe say they're confident a revised casino compact with Massachusetts will be approved by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

    Gov. Deval Patrick signed the compact Friday in a brief Statehouse ceremony.

    The Legislature gave final approval last week to the agreement that Patrick negotiated with tribal leaders in March.

    An earlier compact was rejected by the bureau on several grounds, but tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell said he was confident that changes in the new agreement would get federal approval.

    The tribe hopes to build a resort casino in Taunton.

    Tribal leaders declined comment on a recent announcement by the Aquinnah Wampanoag _ a separate tribe _ that it planned to open a small casino on Martha's Vineyard and would seek a compact with the state.  (Associated Press)