Mass. casino panel delays southeastern region vote

BOSTON (AP) -- The panel overseeing the state's casino gambling law has delayed a vote to open the licensing process to bids from commercial developers in southeastern Massachusetts.

Commercial developers have previously been excluded under a provision that gave preference to a local Native American tribe.

Tuesday's planned vote had been described as an "imperfect" solution by Massachusetts Gaming Commission chair Stephen Crosby.

It would not guarantee commercial developers will be able to compete for a casino license nor would it jettison a proposal by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to build a casino in Taunton.

The casino law had given first crack in the region to a federally-recognized tribe.

The gaming commission opted instead to postpone a final vote to open up bids to commercial developers for 90 days to give the tribe more time to finalize their proposal.