Aquinnah Tribe Seeks Overturn of Lower Court Ruling to Pursue Vineyard Gaming Establishment

MARTHA’S VINEYARD – This past week, a federal appeals court heard arguments that will determine if the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe can once again pursue the operation of an electronic bingo parlor on tribal lands.

According to the Vineyard Gazette, the tribe need the appellate court to reverse a previous lower court ruling that stated a 400-acre land deal the state and town of Aquinnah struck with the tribe in the 1980s requires their compliance with Massachusetts gambling regulations.

The appeal is opposed by the state, as well as the Town of Aquinnah, who argue that a gambling operation would have a significant impact on the town’s police, fire and emergency operations.