Tribes Advance In Legal Battle Over Casino Licenses
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit that alleged the state's casino law is unconstitutional because it gives an advantage to federally recognized Indian tribes.
Lawyers for KG Urban Enterprises, which wants to build a casino in southeastern Massachusetts, had argued the law prevents the company from competing "on an equal footing."
The law authorizes up to three casinos in Massachusetts and gives tribes like the Mashpee Wampanoags until July 31 to negotiate a gaming compact with the state in the southeast. Only if they fail would other applicants be allowed to seek a license for the area.
There are no restrictions in other parts of the state.
In his ruling Friday, US District Judge Nathaniel Gorton sided with lawyers for the state and dismissed the complaint, saying the law is constitutional
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