Experts say that if the Massachusetts legislators will legalize slot machines, it will open a door for Indian tribes who seek to open new casinos in the state.
John Giorgio, an attorney with Kopelman and Paige from Bonton served as Playmouth's town counsel when he wrote his legal opinion about Class III gaming, as slots are classified. In his report, Giorgio claims that once the door is opened for slot machines in Massachusetts, there will be a federally-recognized Indian tribe that would then be eligible to operate slots and that will lead to opening casinos on so-called Indian land.

A slots vote is scheduled in the House for April 5 and the possibility of an Indian tribe opening a casino seems very realistic after the Senate approved a bill that would give licenses to about 8,000 slot machines in Massachusetts. If the state approves slot machines but refuses to negotiate with an Indian tribe about pursuing a casino, the tribe can appeal to the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, since Indian tribes are considered to be sovereign nations. Same goes for legal prosecution of felony committed on the Tribe's casino property, since they operate under their own infrastructure and law enforcement.