The Martha’s Vineyard-based Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe will team up with the Chickasaw Nation to open a Class II casino on their reservation on the island.
Aquinnah Chairman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais announced, “We are beyond pleased that the right of the Aquinnah Wampanoag to conduct gaming on our tribal lands has been unequivocally affirmed by both the federal appeals court and Supreme Court of the United States.”
She added, “Now we look forward to partnering with another tribe to bring economic development to Aquinnah and Martha’s Vineyard. The Chickasaw Nation’s success speaks for itself and we are honored to be in partnership with them.”
The tribe’s right to operate a casino on the island reservation was recently confirmed when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal to that decision. At that time it was reported that the tribe would open a casino this summer.
However, teaming up with Chickasaw Nation’s Global Gaming Solutions multiplies the tribe’s credibility. The firm has played a role in designing, creating and operating more than 30 casinos, most of them in Oklahoma.
Global Gaming Solutions CEO Skip Seeley commented, “Developing gaming and entertainment operations that further the economic development goals of Native American tribes is central to our business charter. We are excited to partner with the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe as they launch this project to support the local economy in Martha’s Vineyard and create opportunities for their tribal citizens.”
Andrews-Maltais promised that the tribe would live up to its historical name, “People of the First Light” and preserve the beauty of the island.
