• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Trump tweet delays Congress vote on Mashpee land bill

May 09, 2019 Newsdesk Latest News, Top of the deck, World  


Trump tweet delays Congress vote on Mashpee land bill

A bill in the United States Congress (pictured) in Washington D.C. that would reaffirm the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe’s reservation as trust land in the state of Massachusetts, and perhaps remove an obstacle to a tribal casino being built by the Native American group, has been delayed after social-media intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Late last month it emerged that moves had been made to unseat several leaders of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe over the so-far checked attempt to develop a tribal casino in partnership with international casino investor Genting Malaysia Bhd.

Genting Malaysia confirmed to Bursa Malaysia in its 2018 annual results filed in February that it had recorded an impairment loss of MYR1.83 billion (US$440 million) on the group’s investment in the promissory notes issued by the Mashpee Wampanoag.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act had been due to go to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday this week.

That measure, and a second one that would reaffirm the authority of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for what are known in legal terms as “Indian Tribes” would have required a two-thirds majority under a system designed to fast-track measures with bipartisan support through the lower house.

But after Mr Trump recommended via social-media platform Twitter that Republican members should not support the first bill, both measures were withdrawn.

The U.S. President described the bill specific to the Mashpee Wampanoag as a “special interest” measure that did not “treat Native Americans equally”.

The Democratic Party – which currently has a majority in the House of Representatives – says it will seek to resubmit the bills next week under standard procedures that will require only a simple majority.

Several U.S. media outlets said Democrats ascribed efforts by lobbyist Matthew Schlapp – identified as the husband of White House aide Mercedes Schlapp – as the likely reason for the President’s intervention.

Mr Schlapp is said to lobby on behalf of Cove Strategies, a company representing Twin River Management Group Inc. Cove Strategies’ website describes Mr Schlapp as a co-founder, and a former White House aide in President George W. Bush’s first administration.

GGRAsia emailed Cove Strategies seeking comment on the suggestion lobbying by Mr Schlapp was behind Mr Trump’s intervention, but had not received a reply by the time this story went online.

According to the corporate website of Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc, an operations unit, Twin River’s venue portfolio includes two casinos in the U.S. state of Rhode Island – Twin River Casino Hotel, and Tiverton Casino Hotel.

The land the Mashpee Wampanoag would like to use for a casino is at Taunton, Massachusetts, only 25 miles (40 kilometres) from Tiverton, Rhode Island.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • GEN Malaysia posts 3Q profit, EBITDA down
    GEN Malaysia posts 3Q profit, EBITDA...

    Nov 29, 2019  

  • Shareholder majority nods Empire Resorts merger idea
    Shareholder majority nods Empire...

    Nov 14, 2019  

More news
  • Taipa-Cotai rail to chalk 20k journeys daily: Macau govt
    Taipa-Cotai rail to chalk 20k journeys...

    Dec 10, 2019  

  • No plans for Boracay land once tagged for casino: LRWC
    No plans for Boracay land once tagged...

    Dec 10, 2019  


Latest News

Taipa-Cotai rail to chalk 20k journeys daily: Macau govt

Taipa-Cotai rail to chalk 20k journeys daily: Macau govt

Dec 10, 2019  

The Taipa to Cotai section of Macau’s Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system (pictured in a file photo), which opened on Tuesday afternoon to the public, might see “20,000″ passenger journeys...
Read More
No plans for Boracay land once tagged for casino: LRWC

No plans for Boracay land once tagged for casino: LRWC

Dec 10, 2019  

Interviews

  • Suncity Manila casino not a threat: Travellers EVP
    Suncity Manila casino not a threat: Travellers EVP

    Dec 09, 2019  

    Macau junket brand Suncity’s move toward being a casino...
  • Nagasaki fully backs Sasebo IR location: vice governor
    Nagasaki fully backs Sasebo IR location: vice governor

    Nov 06, 2019  

    A senior official of Japan’s Nagasaki prefecture has...
  • NagaCorp open to new development opportunities: chairman
    NagaCorp open to new development opportunities: chairman

    Jul 15, 2019  

    Hong Kong-listed casino operator and developer NagaCorp Ltd...
  • Casino logistics provider TKHS aims for global footprint
    Casino logistics provider TKHS aims for global footprint

    Jul 12, 2019  

    Asia-based casino logistics provider TKHS Group has plans...
  • Nagasaki official hopes for casino RFC phase by autumn
    Nagasaki official hopes for casino RFC phase by autumn

    Jul 04, 2019  

    Japan’s Nagasaki prefecture and Sasebo city aspire to...

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”We received … positive feedback from partners, visitors and exhibitors, encouraging our consideration for the next edition”

Josephine Lee

Chief operating officer of Reed Exhibitions Greater China, organiser of the G2E Asia @ the Philippines



Most Popular

  • Macau’s Taipa to Cotai light rail to open on Dec 10Macau’s Taipa to Cotai light rail to open on Dec 10 December 6, 2019
  • Macau casino biz leaders cautious on 2020 GGR: reportMacau casino biz leaders cautious on 2020 GGR: report December 9, 2019
  • Suncity Manila casino not a threat: Travellers EVPSuncity Manila casino not a threat: Travellers EVP December 9, 2019
  • LRWC drops plan for Boracay tie-up with Galaxy Ent: reportsLRWC drops plan for Boracay tie-up with Galaxy Ent: reports December 9, 2019
  • Okura hotel at RW Manila likely end 1Q2020 launch: firmOkura hotel at RW Manila likely end 1Q2020 launch: firm December 6, 2019
Copyright 2014-2019 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us