Mashpee Tribe Rallies Against Massachusetts’ ‘Slots in Disguise’

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe rallied outside the Massachusetts State House Thursday (Oct. 15) to oppose legislation that could bring thousands of slot-like gambling machines to the state, potentially threatening the tribe’s fledgling casino operation.

Tribal Chairman Brian Weeden told protesters in Boston that proposed historical horse racing (HHR) machines threatened the tribe’s sovereignty and economic future, particularly because they could be installed at Raynham Park, a former racetrack near the tribe’s First Light Casino in Taunton.

“Anyone with eyes to see would understand that these HHR machines are simply slot machines with a different name,” Weeden said, according to the Taunton Daily Gazette.

HHR machines look and operate much like slot machines, but their outcomes are determined by previously run horse races rather than random number generators.

The races are anonymized, and players wager into parimutuel pools instead of betting against the house. The spinning reels are largely cosmetic, displaying whether a bet has won or lost.

This creates a legal “loophole” that allows proponents to argue the machines are a form of horse racing rather than casino-style gambling.

Casino Under Threat

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe opened a modest gaming facility in Taunton in January 2025 with just 10 slot machines. It has since expanded into First Light Casino, which now offers more than 200 games.

The new operation is a vastly scaled-down version of the tribe’s long-delayed ambition to build a $1 billion casino resort in Taunton, which has been repeatedly derailed by legal disputes.

The tribe is concerned that competition from HHR machines at Raynham Park could undermine the casino’s ability to generate revenue for tribal services and economic development.

‘Violation’ of Tribal Compact

Proposed language in an economic development bill currently wending its way through the legislature would authorize HHR machines at eligible racetrack properties.

The tribe argues that the proposal would violate its gaming compact with Massachusetts, which it says guarantees exclusive casino gaming rights in the southeastern part of the state.

“This proposal is a complete violation of the Commonwealth’s Compact with our sovereign Tribal Nation,” Weeden said in an earlier statement.

The tribe has also warned that the machines could expand slot-style gambling beyond licensed casinos while allowing participation by people aged 18 and older.

State Sen. Lydia Edwards has joined the opposition, urging lawmakers to remove the HHR provision from the final economic development bill. She was among the speakers advertised for Thursday’s demonstration, alongside state Rep. David Vieira.

The proposal was approved by the House in July but omitted from the Senate’s version of the legislation. Its fate currently lies in the hands of a conference committee tasked with reconciling the two bills.