The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has jumped into the casino game again and is requesting a referendum vote from the city of Fall River to operate a gaming facility there.
Fall River mayor William A. Flanagan said he received a request from the tribe’s chairman, Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, on Monday for a vote within the next 90 days.
Ms. Andrews-Maltais indicated plans for the gaming project are well underway, Mr. Flanagan said on Tuesday.
“Last night I spoke with the chairwoman and she indicated to me she has several pieces of land under option in the city of Fall River and has the finances in place to move forward on the construction of a resort-style casino,” he said. “She has indicated that the Aquinnah [Wampanoag] is as viable, if not more viable than, the Mashpee Wampanoag.”
The Mashpee Wampanoag are proposing a resort casino in Taunton. Under the state’s new gaming regulations the state can authorize up to three resort casinos in different geographic areas of the state.
Mr. Flanagan said he would not call vote without knowing what pieces of land are under consideration, who the investors are and specifics of the proposal, including the size of the resort and the number of jobs it would create — all of which is still unknown. Leaders from the tribe and Mr. Flanagan are set to meet next week; a date has not been scheduled.
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