Expanded Gaming Outlet at Massachusetts Tribal Casino Aims for Liquor Service and Additional Casino Equipment
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Expands First Light Casino in Taunton
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is actively expanding the First Light Casino Welcome Center in Taunton, Massachusetts, aiming to increase the number of electronic gaming machines from 50 to up to 250 and introducing alcohol service on-site.
Key details about the expansion plans and related approvals:
- The casino began with 10 slot-like electronic bingo machines, expanded to 50, and now the Tribe is petitioning to increase gaming positions to 250 machines, which is a fivefold increase from the original number.
- Physically, the venue recently expanded overnight from 54 machines to 200 machines, with a view toward future growth, reflecting the Tribe's ambition for a larger facility although a larger casino planned since 2016 has yet to materialize fully.
- The Taunton License Commission recently approved an alcoholic beverage license, and casino officials are exploring options like having a bar or a designated drinking area within the welcome center. However, final approvals are still pending through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) process.
- The facility now operates seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., increasing customer access.
- The Tribe is negotiating amendments to its revenue-sharing agreement with Taunton city officials related to expanded gaming operations.
In addition, the city agreed to delay legal action on the tribe's $2.35 million in lieu of taxes debt obligation. It's worth noting that the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe operates the temporary casino.
The Tribe has been pursuing a Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods-like tribal casino resort with traditional slots and live-dealer table games since 2012, but the State of Massachusetts has refused to enter into a Class III compact to allow such a facility to be constructed. Despite this, the Tribe hopes to secure financing for the permanent First Light Casino in the first half of 2025, but no partnership or deal has yet been announced.
The First Light Casino, located at 1 O'Connell Way in East Taunton, Massachusetts, currently offers 50 slot-like electronic bingo machines and operates under an agreement that stipulates 2.05% of the money from bingo games at the casino goes to the city. Under this expansion, the casino aims to increase the number of gaming positions to up to 250.
The city of Taunton and the tribe have a revenue-sharing agreement, but further discussions are expected in the coming months as the Tribe seeks to amend its MOA to reflect the increased gaming operations. The Taunton City Council did not address the developments during its meeting on July 8, but it is expected to do so in the coming months.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's efforts to expand the First Light Casino reflect a significant scale-up from initial operations launched in early 2025. The application for the On-Premises All Alcoholic Beverage License is currently under consideration.
- The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe aims to increase the number of electronic gaming machines at the First Light Casino in Taunton, Massachusetts, from 50 to up to 250 and introduce alcohol service on-site.
- The First Light Casino initially had 10 slot-like electronic bingo machines, which expanded to 50, and the Tribe is now petitioning for an increase to 250 machines.
- The casino venue recently expanded overnight from 54 machines to 200, with a view toward future growth, but the larger casino planned since 2016 has yet to materialize fully.
- The Taunton License Commission recently approved an alcoholic beverage license for the First Light Casino, and officials are considering options such as a bar or a designated drinking area.
- The city of Taunton has agreed to delay legal action on the tribe's $2.35 million in lieu of taxes debt obligation.
- The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has been pursuing a Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods-like tribal casino resort since 2012, but Massachusetts has refused to enter into a Class III compact for construction.
- The Tribe hopes to secure financing for the permanent First Light Casino in the first half of 2025, but no partnership or deal has been announced yet.
- The casino currently offers 50 slot-like electronic bingo machines and operates under an agreement that stipulates 2.05% of the money from bingo games at the casino goes to the city.
- The city of Taunton and the tribe have a revenue-sharing agreement, and further discussions are expected in the coming months as the Tribe seeks to amend its MOA to reflect increased gaming operations.
- The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's efforts to expand the First Light Casino reflect a significant scale-up from initial operations launched in early 2025, and the application for an On-Premises All Alcoholic Beverage License is currently under consideration.
- The First Light Casino, located in East Taunton, Massachusetts, is operated by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and its expansion plans are a topic of ongoing political discussion and general news interest.
