Judge To Consider Tribal Gambling Hall On Martha's Vineyard
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge is scheduled to hear arguments over a plan to open a tribal gambling hall on Martha's Vineyard.
Massachusetts, the town of Aquinnah and a local community association are suing to block the plan by the Aquinnah Wampanoags.
The sides will make their case Wednesday in Boston.
The Aquinnah Wampanoags say federal law allows them to operate certain types of gambling because they are a federally recognized tribe.
Opponents counter that the tribe effectively forfeited its gambling rights when it reached a settlement for its ancestral lands on Martha's Vineyard in 1983.
The tribe wants to offer electronic, high-stakes bingo-style games but not familiar casino table games like blackjack or poker. It began building the facility last month, but a judge ordered the work to stop.
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