The Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) has been asked by the Board of Selectmen of the town of Aquinnah, Massachusetts, to review plans for a Class II casino the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) proposes to build on the island.
The town asserts that the MVC has jurisdiction over the land, even though it is part of the reservation. The tribe is not so sure.
Nevertheless the town council insists the casino should be reviewed. The letter states, “In our view, there has never been a proposed development contemplated in Aquinnah that could have more potential regional impacts than this proposed gaming facility.”
The letter continues, “Since the tribe has stated that they do not seek review from the MVC, we are asking that you take action to protect your statutory rights to review this proposed facility.”
The tribe is proposing a 10,000 inflatable “Sprung” structure that would have 250 slot machines that would be served by food trucks.
Tribal Chairman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais told the Martha’s Vineyard Times in January, “We’re getting the underpinnings together to roll out real plans and do outreach with the Chamber and other businesses we want to partner with. We want to have as many people benefit from our successes as possible.”
The tribe has partnered with Global Gaming Solutions to develop the modest-sized casino.
The town has fought the tribe unsuccessfully in the courts to try to stop the casino. Last year that battle ended when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the town’s appeal of a lower court’s ruling. Despite this loss, the town has been maneuvering to get some say in the casino, despite it being located on reservation land.
