Taunton’s First Light Casino to Begin Serving Alcohol

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe will mark an important milestone in the development of its First Light Casino on tribal land in Taunton. The casino will begin serving alcoholic beverages in a matter of days.

On September 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs approved a liquor ordinance allowing for the sale of alcohol inside and outside the casino at 1 O'Connell Way, effective Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

The Taunton License Commission approved the tribe's application for a liquor license in July, but it required federal approval.

The Taunton Gazette reported alcohol will be available for sale at "Grab-and-Go Coolers/Refrigerators," secure vending units operated by staff, and an on-site mobile food truck during designated hours.

First Light Casino History

The Mashpee purchased some 321 acres of tribal land in 2012, which is now held in trust by the U.S. Department of the Interior as reservation land. Under the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, it is sovereign land and qualifies as a Native American casino.

Original plans were for a much more elaborate casino, complete with two hotels, an event center, and a water park; however, legal challenges, a criminal investigation, and funding issues have led to a much slower pathway to that goal.

Since first opening as a welcome center in January 2025, the Mashpee Wampanoag has added gaming machines to the casino, extended its operating hours, added entertainment, and will now serve alcoholic beverages.

READ MORE: Taunton First Light Casino Extends Its Hours

The Welcome Center opened with ten slot machines and has grown to over 200 games.

The tribe's website states, "The projects we undertake will represent growth, progression, and opportunity while revitalizing the economic future for the City of Taunton, as well as our great state and our tribal nation."