CapeCodToday Blog Chowder

Far from being "unrelated" to the story, as frigtard writes, the MashWamp decision to go the federal route is hugely important to the Governor's prospects. He has said he will limit casinos in the state to three. If the tribe goes the federal route, then that cuts the Gov's already "optimistic" revenue projections by at least a THIRD.

Mr. Kenney,
You should read the Indian Gaming Act. I think you'll see your piece draws the wrong conclusion. The Act very clearly grants any federally-recognized tribe the absolute right to conduct class III (casino) gaming on its land, so long as such gaming is legal in the state wherein the land sits. The Governor cannot trump federal law through conditional legalization. Conversely, if Class III is not legalized, then the tribe cannot build a casino. They can't duck the Act either. There is a lot of misinformation coming from both the state and the trible on this issue, but the Act is fairly straightforward as statutes go. I hope this is helpful to your future reporting on this issue.

"While many have pointed out that Patrick has it within his authority to approve casino gambling without approval from the Legislature..."
"Many" may have pointed that out, but it simply is not true. Whether class III gaming (casino gaming) is legal in any state is a matter of state law, not executive regulation. Right now casino gambling is illegal in Massachusetts. The best the governor can do is support it, and for obvious reasons that support would have weight. But casino gaming cannot happen here without legislative approval, despite what "many" might think about it.