Saturday New England Casino Smorgasbord

Mashpee Wampanoags still in the Mix
The head of the state gambling board says the race for a casino in southeastern Massachusetts could open up to commercial interests if the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian tribe's efforts to open a casino fall through. State gambling commission Chairman Stephen Crosby said the Wampanoags still face significant hurdles in their efforts to open a casino in Taunton and that the state needs to be ready in case that effort dissolves. The commission members said at the same time they want to respect the tribe's federal rights. Tribal council Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a letter to the commission that the tribe "continues to make great progress" in its efforts to open a casino.

New Hampshire Update
Granite State gambling advocates are still holding out hope that Rockingham Park could one day be the site of the state's first legalized casino. On Dec. 17, the Salem Board of Selectmen will hold a public discussion on whether to add a nonbinding referendum to the March ballot regarding a potential casino. A positive vote wouldn't be legally binding, but it would give Rockingham Park officials a chance to gauge their neighbors' thoughts on the matter. "We're still in the early stages of this discussion, but the details will be publicly discussed during the upcoming meeting," Town Manager Keith Hickey said on Thursday. Edward Callahan, Rockingham Park president and general manager, said park officials have been attempting to add a casino to the former horse track for many years now. Callahan said initial attempts were made back in 1994, when Lincoln Downs in Rhode Island opened its slot machines, and other racetracks around the nation followed suit.
But since casino gambling has yet to be legalized in New Hampshire, those referendums never progressed further. Callahan noted that fans of casino gambling are now taking their business to places like Maine and Rhode Island, where casinos are legal. "By opening up a casino at Rockingham Park, we'd be adding more jobs to the area. We'd be keeping much of this revenue in New Hampshire," he said.

Twin River Plans To Add Table Games
According to officials at Twin River is hoping to be add table games to its gaming floor as soon as July1, 2013
Twin River can add table games following voters' approval of the facility's proposal to offer the new games to compete with casinos in Massachusetts. While the Massachusetts casinos won't be built for years, Twin River wants to get its table games installed as soon as possible to get a good head start.
"Once Massachusetts starts to build, it's still going to take three or four years before they open," said state Rep. William San Bento, D-Pawtucket, who pushed to get the Twin River casino question on the ballot. "It's major that we are going to be up and running first." But, before they can begin to offer games like blackjack and craps, the casino must make the space for 65 gaming tables and hire 350 new employees. Whether the casino can have table games by July 1 will also depend on how quickly state gambling regulators approve Twin River's plans.


Before the Casinos in Maine.....
Just a reminder, besides the two casinos in Maine, Penobscot High Stakes Bingo was established in 1973, being one of the first Indian Gaming Operations in the country, located on Indian Island, Old Town, Maine. In 1993, Penobscot High Stakes Bingo took on a total facelift which includes a State of the Art Smoke Removal Air Exchange System, totally new interior renovation, Las Vegas Style lighting, etc., which makes Sockalexis Bingo Palace, the Home of Penobscot High Stakes Bingo, one of the premier Indian Bingos in the Northeast. December specials are occuring for the holidays. Check the website at http://penobscotbingo.com/