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New Bedford Attracts More Casino Interest from the Mashpee Tribe

On May 23, 2007, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe could have stiff competition if they pick New Bedford as the new location for their casino, after a new casino developer bought some waterfront property.

The Indian Tribe is considering New Bedford, Middleborough and other southeast Massachusetts locations for their new casino. They have already bought 325 acres in Middleborough, but they are still currently in the middle of talks with the officials in New Bedford.

The Northeast Resorts, a business organization owned by the developer of Leone Dragone from East Longmeadow and Steven North from Las Vegas has bought a business option on the Revere Copper Products Inc. The Revere Copper is a metal company originally made by Paul Revere.

The Waterfront Plant is already closing down. The Northeast Resorts, which also own 152 acres of land in Palmer, a western Massachusetts town, buy that option for a private amount, on the 14 acre site, according to Dragone.

They can now also reject offers from the Revere metal plant. The Head of the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Clyde Barrow, commented that it is a good move on the part of Dragone and Norton.

Dragone commented that the land he now handles is on the 95 acres that the city officials are offering to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Tribal Council Chairman, Glenn Marshall, who met with the Mayor of New Bedford, Scott Lang, commented that their tribe wants to build a casino/resort facility like the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The tribe's federal recognition will become official that week. Marshall also met with the residents from Middleborough. Lang commented that Dragone's move may or may not be in accordance with the goal of the city, but it adds some problems to what they are doing.

The Indian Tribe and their major investor, Detroit Casino Developer Herb Strather have agreed to buy the 125 acres of land from Middleborough for about $1.76 million. The Indian Tribe also bought a land option for 200 acres.

The Mashpee's Tribe deadline to finalize the deal for the 125 acres of land is early June 2007. The Tribal leaders need the Beacon Hill legislators to pass the legislation allowing them to construct a casino facility.

Even without the approval of the legislature, federal recognition allows the tribe to manage the bingo parlors within 50 miles of their tribal land on Cape Cod.

Gov. Deval Patrick has a task force examining whether to back an expansion on legal casiono gambling aside from the Massachusetts Lottery and Massachusetts' 4 racing tracks.

 

Sunday, June 24 , 2007
Edward O'Connor