AQUINNAH - The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) rolled the dice and now have federal approval to operate a gaming venue on their lands. "Because Massachusetts legalized expanded gambling in 2011, the federally recognized tribe has the right under IGRA to open a Class II facility with so-called bingo slots — machines that look and act like slot machines — on Indian lands without paying any revenue to the state. To offer table games or roulette, the tribe would have to enter into a compact with the state." [Cape Cod Times]
OAK BLUFFS - "After considerable debate, Oak Bluffs voters approved a bylaw regulating the location of medical marijuana dispensaries at a special town meeting Tuesday night. With the vote, three sites in town will now be included in a medical marijuana overlay district and opened to special permitting." The pot shops will not be permitted in the town's major business districts and will instead be allowed in three residential areas: "a small area near the hospital, two parcels on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road near Goodale's sand pit and one location on Holmes Hole Road near the Tisbury town line." [Vineyard Gazette]
BOSTON - Meanwhile, both the Massachusetts House and Senate have given final approval to the latest tribal-state compact between the Mashpee Wampanoag and Gov. Deval Patrick. "The compact, which would pay the state revenues from a proposed $500 million Indian casino in Taunton, is now headed to Patrick for his signature." [Cape Cod Times]