News that the Federal Department of the Interior has approved an application by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to place land in federal trust is having a major impact on casino applications for Region C.

During Thursday morning's meeting of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Chair Stephen Crosby said that even if a suitable commercial applicant is found the tribe's plans will have a major impact on whether or not a license is awarded.

"If we decide that the commercial application before us is a high quality application then we will then have to go on to decide whether to make an award and one of the critical variables in whether we make that award or not is the status of the tribe and their proposals," said Crobsy "and we are anxious to hear from them in one fashion or another."

Crosby says the tribe and the Commission will continue meeting to discuss a wide array of issues regarding a proposed Taunton casino.

At this time only one commercial applicant is seeking the Region C Casino License and that's the proposal from Mass Gaming and Entertainment to build a casino in Brockton.

The company has already signed Surrounding Community Agreements with most of the nearby cities and towns.

However, the Commission's OmbJohn Ziemba the ombundsman for the state gaming commission, told commission members on thursday that not every community has signed on to the plan.

"Two communities have entered into arbitration with Mass Gaming and Entertainment, Easton and West Bridgewater," said Ziemba "in accordance with our current timeline the parties have exchanged their best and final offers and have selected arbitrators for their arbitration."

The arbitration period ends February 8 at which time an arbitration report must be submitted to the Commission.

The Commission will also hold a public input hearing on the proposed Brockton casino at Holbrook Junior/Senior High School Auditorium on January 28 beginning at 4 p.m.

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420