Massachusetts State Senate Considers Gambling Compact With Tribe

BOSTON -- (Associated Press) - The state Senate is expected to vote soon on a casino compact signed by Gov. Deval Patrick and the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.

Debate that began in the Senate last week was put off until Tuesday. The House has already ratified the compact, which promises the state 21.5 percent of gaming revenues if the tribe succeeds in developing a resort casino in Taunton.

Some lawmakers from southeastern Massachusetts have been pushing to add to the compact a deadline by which the tribe must earn federal approval to place the land into trust. These legislators say the region could fall behind other areas of the state in casino development if the land-in-trust process drags on too long.

The tribe, meanwhile, has released an environmental report showing the proposed casino would generate nearly $512 million in overall annual revenue.