The Cape Cod Casino Cheerleader has posted the unattributed editorial below praising the $$$ and ignoring the costs, impacts and consequences of increased crime, infrastructure cots, the gross flaws in both the Taunton IGA and the State Compact.
Too much KoolAid consumption!
Showing their cards
When the commonwealth and the Mashpee Wampanoag came to an agreement concerning the future of casino gambling in southeastern Massachusetts last week, it represented the most recent milestone in a journey that still has some miles to go.
In essence, the new compact is a memo of understanding between the two groups that outlines who is responsible for what as the process moves forward. The Wampanoag get the state's approval to build a casino in Taunton, and the tribe agrees to pay 21.5 percent of the casino's gross gambling revenues to the state. The tribe agrees to allow state law enforcement to police the facility. The Mashpee Wampanoag also receive exclusive rights to the southeastern Massachusetts gambling market for 15 years. If the state violates that exclusivity, the tribe's yearly payment drops to 15 percent.
In a separate agreement reached earlier this year, the tribe also pledged $13 million annually to the town of Taunton, as well as $33 million for infrastructure improvements. It appears, as Gov. Deval Patrick has suggested, to be a win-win situation for all parties concerned.
There remain a handful of significant unknowns, however, as the project begins to accelerate. For example, the compact must still be approved by state lawmakers and the Department of Interior. In fact, the tribe must still secure several federal approvals for the $500 million project, which includes the casino, hotels, shops, and even a water park.
Patrick's imprimatur will likely help make this process less tenuous, but there are no guarantees, especially in a year of national elections and a potential change of administrations. For example, a second Obama administration would likely be more sympathetic to Patrick's backing than a Romney administration.
There is no question that the tribe deserves its shot with this new casino; they have come too far and worked too hard to both acquire federal recognition and to establish their own independent identity.
[And many of us remember how they got there.]
Although there may be some perilous legislative hurdles ahead, none seem insurmountable given the tribe's track record. The House is expected to vote today and the Senate will take it up Thursday, with both expected to pass the measure.
What remains uncertain is just how many gamblers a Taunton-based casino will be able to draw away from more distant, but longer established, casinos such as Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.
[Whose revenues are declining.]
Massachusetts is also planning to enter into two additional casino agreements for other areas in the commonwealth, which may also reduce the potential draw of the Wampanoag's efforts.
Make no mistake: it would be nice to see some of the gambling revenues that have been drifting across the border remain here in Massachusetts. Similarly, it would be even nicer if the Mashpee Wampanoag were finally able to generate the income they need to help make many of the tribe's individual and collective dreams a reality. Regardless of the odds, the tribe is doubling down and betting on the future. Here's hoping that dice remain lucky for them.
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