AQUINNAH – The debate over the proposed Aquinnah gambling hall goes before a federal judge today.
U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor will rule on the legality of proposed the gambling facility. The tribe has argued it can build the facility, but the state says they gave up those rights in a 1983 land settlement.
The federally-recognized tribe starting converting an unfinished community center into a gambling hall earlier this year, but Judge Saylor ordered the tribe to stop construction after the town of Aquinnah successfully argued for a restraining order against the tribe. The town joined the state in the lawsuit against the tribe last year. A local community association is also apart of that suit.
Plans call for electronic bingo-style games at the facility, which the tribe was hoping to open by the fall. The tribe argues the gambling hall is on sovereign, tribal land not subject to local law.
Speak Your Mind