Wampanoags look at Taunton as possible casino site

TAUNTON, Mass. -- Add Taunton to the list of possible sites for a Massachusetts casino.

Mayor Tom Hoye Jr. says he has had preliminary talks with the chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council and the tribe's lobbyist, former U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, about building a Taunton casino.

Hoye tells the Taunton Daily Gazette that parcels at Liberty and Union Industrial Park, owned by the nonprofit Taunton Development Corp., have been considered as a resort casino site. The parcel is near the Silver City Galleria mall.

Hoye says a casino in Taunton could create as many as 4,000 jobs.

Gov. Deval Patrick signed a law in November authorizing up to three resort casinos and one slots parlor in different geographical areas of the state.

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