It is big news to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe because their casino welcome center in Taunton has received the go-ahead to start selling alcohol. This represents a significant advancement for the tribe’s gaming interests in the state of Massachusetts, a long-awaited development given the obstacles and legal bars they have faced since their establishment.
The License Gets Approved
The License Commission of Taunton was not too far off before it accredited the tribe of the casino welcome center on O’Connell Way with the license to provide alcoholic drinks. This vote now allows them to serve and sell alcohol directly there at the facility, which, quite honestly, is a no-brainer when trying to make the setup look like a real casino.
This entire matter has been picking up steam after the City Council meeting occurred on July 1, at which people had already been discussing tribal land possibly serving alcohol. Well, it is now actually happening, but we are yet to see the way they will roll it out.
More Than Just Drinks
Here is what is actually interesting: the tribe is not settling with just alcohol. They would also like to cram more slot machines in their welcome center. At present, the facility is functioning as such to utilize only a few gaming machines, but it appears that the concept of expansion is the order of the day.
Imagine that the present arrangement is their trial practice. The welcome center never was a destination. It does not seem like the real thing, rather just a casual replacement until they get to their full-scale casino resort idea they have been harboring over the last couple of years.
A Long Road to Get Here
The story of this casino by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is quite impressive to consider. These people have inhabited this land for longer than 12,000 years; all they had done was to receive the pilgrims of the Mayflower back in 1620. And it was not until 2007 that they received federal recognition. That was one long wait for official recognition.
The road to this has not been easy. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has been looking to dole out casino licenses more carefully than that, especially with all that tribal gaming and questions being in the air. The tribe has had to be patient and persistent at every step it took forward.
What’s Actually Operating Now
The greeter center is not quite Vegas, but it is headed in that direction. They have around 40 gaming machines in online operation, and they have just doubled their operating hours to milk the most out of it. Being on sovereign tribal land, they did not have to go through a slew of extra permits just to open the doors.
That is where local politics gets interesting, though. Taunton expects the tribe to make a public presentation in January 2025, after which the memorandum of agreement will be voted on. The city simply wants to ensure that the tribe honors their words on the financial front, which is also quite understandable to think of.
Why This Matters Beyond Just Gambling
Introducing alcohol service may sound like a little feature, but it is a big deal in business. When they have the ability to have a drink, the people are more likely to spend longer at the place. Every revenue stream helps as the tribe tries its best to accomplish this goal that it has been striving to achieve, building up towards a bigger goal.
This also has the Mashpee Wampanoag on the map as game players in Massachusetts. They are among the two tribes in the state to be recognized by federal status, and their prosperity may therefore affect tribal gaming in the state.
