Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Moving Ahead With Plans For Taunton Resort Casino

The federal government's decision to grant the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe over 300 acres of land in trust Friday greatly changed the climate for the final bid for a commercial casino license in the southeast region of the state.

The tribe now has 151 acres of federal land in the Taunton Industrial Park practically ready for development.

Members of the tribe celebrated the historic decision Saturday outside the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community & Government Center in Mashpee.

Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell said while waiting for decision in Washington, D.C., the tribe was still hard at work planning a first-rate casino.

"Throughout this process we were not just sitting still, we've been working and we have a strong team that is working on our project to make sure that it's very successful. We hope to start working on Project First Light by the next construction season," Cromwell said during Saturday's news conference.

The tribe's First Light Casino is planned to feature over 150,000 sq. ft. of gaming (3,000 slots, 40 poker tables, 150 table games), three 300 room hotels, a 25,000 sq. ft. water park, plenty of food & beverage options and a retail outlet.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission now must decide if it will move ahead with Mass Gaming & Entertainment's bid for a casino in Brockton or let the license go to waste.

If it's granted to Brockton, the tribe will not be obligated to share any revenue with the state.