Although the financial backing of Genting Group would — under normal circumstances — make the Mashpee Wampanoags prohibitive favorites for a casino in southeastern Massachusetts, these are anything but normal conditions. The tribe still doesn’t have a compact with the state, its site reposes on land that’s not been taken into trust and the Mashpee Wamps were federally recognized too late to qualify for casino gambling. That last point alone could keep the tribe tied up for years in litigation.
Thusly, rather than let money slip through its fingers, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has opened the sluice gates to private-sector competitors. So far they’ve only drawn small fry, but let’s wait and see what happens elsewhere in the state. For instance, might Hard Rock International — if its western Massachusetts bid were to be rejected — make a play for the area? And who doesn’t think Springfield also-ran Penn National Gaming will make a play for the southeastern market?
To keep interest alive, the Mashpee gave a “dog-and-pony show” (as one detractor put it) at the latest meeting of Taunton’s city council. The display of renderings may have more showbiz than substance, but the tribe has significantly improved its design. The resort would now be anchored by two curving hotel towers that are interconnected in an ‘S’ shape. The $550 million project’s biggest enemy is Father Time. MGC Chairman Stephen Crosby has again made plain his displeasure with the Mashpee’s lack of progress. The Gaming Commission will meet tomorrow to set a deadline for when the “Region C” license will be awarded. Given the degree with which the Mashpee Wampanoags are at the mercy of Beltway politics, they’d better hope for a liberal timeline from the MGC.
To sell or not to sell? Although it asserts that it has refused offers for its 5% of MGM Resorts International, that didn’t stop Dubai World executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum from doing a verbal fan dance for the media. “We don’t have to sell at this time,” he sniffed. However, he also told Dow Jones News Service that the emirate “remains open” and “would be willing” to unload its bloc of stock, “for the right price,” of course. That sounds like a man trying peddle his wares, if you ask me. MGM officials, wisely, steered clear of the bazaar.
