Patrick Nixes Casino Talks
BOSTON (AP) ― Gov. Deval Patrick is turning down a request from the Mashpee Wampanoags to start formal talks on a state compact allowing a $1 billion tribal casino in Middleboro.
The tribe asked for the talks in a letter on Tuesday.
On Friday, the state released its response that it’s “premature” to begin gambling talks before the federal government acts on the tribe’s application to place the casino land in trust.
Tribal spokeswoman Amy Lambiaso said it looks forward to continuing talks, and still hopes to begin the casino discussions as soon as possible.
The state isn’t obligated to negotiate until the land trust application is approved. The tribe hopes that will happen next spring, but it could take much longer.
(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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