The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has suddenly jumped into the casino game again, telling the Freetown selectmen that they plan to try to secure a state license to operate a gambling facility in southeastern Massachusetts.

“Although our tribe has not been very vocal recently, we have been watching the debate and the change of attitude toward legalizing gaming within the governing body of the commonwealth . . . We would like the opportunity to discuss our continued interest in gaming,” wrote tribal council chairman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais and tribe gaming corporation chairman Naomi Carney in a letter to the Freetown selectmen early last month. Freetown, with a population of just over 8,000, is located next to Fall River.

The Wampanoags have tried without success for more than a decade to establish a casino in the New Bedford-Fall River area. The biggest hurdle has consistently been the Massachusetts legislature, which historically has been opposed to casino gambling.

The tribe first tried a casino plan with business partner Carnival Hotels and Casinos in the 1990s, and saw early support from then-Gov. William Weld, who signed a formal agreement to support the plan in 1994. But three years later a legislative committee voted to reject the $175 million proposal to develop a casino in New Bedford, which the tribe claimed would create some 10,000 jobs and bring in as much as $90 million per year to the state. Subsequent gaming ventures by the tribe, including a plan to build a high-stakes bingo hall, also failed, again running into roadblocks on Beacon Hill.

Three years ago the tribe announced a partnership with the Seneca Nation of Indians of New York, a tribe with a history of success in the casino business. At that time, Gov. Deval Patrick proposed three casino gaming licenses with possible preference given to the Aquinnah and the Mashpee Wampanoag tribes, the state’s only federally recognized Indian tribes. Legislation attached to that proposal is expected to come to a vote some time this year.

The Freetown selectmen tried to contact the Aquinnah tribe after they received the letter, but so far the calls have gone unanswered. “I don’t know if they’re sincere, or if they just want to know if people are interested,” said selectman Lawrence Ashley yesterday. He said he does not have a set position on the issue. “I’m not particularly opposed to it, I’m not particularly enamored of it,” he said, adding that he is open to considering anything that might bring in jobs and stimulate business in the town. And he said the Freetown selectmen are open to meeting with Aquinnah tribal leaders. “I’m not closing any doors at all,” he said.

Reached by telephone yesterday, Ms. Carney said the Freetown area remains the location of choice for the tribe, but all plans are still in the early stages. “Right now we are waiting to see how the cards are going to fall,” she said.