Casinos in Massachusetts saw a 1.7% increase in revenue compared to the same month last year in June.
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In the world of gaming, Massachusetts has seen a significant shift in the past month. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's Taunton Casino Welcome Center, now branded as "First Light, A Native Casino," has undergone a substantial expansion, marking a significant step towards a potential full-scale tribal casino.
The expansion includes a dramatic increase in the number of slot-like gaming machines from a mere 10 to 200, and the acquisition of an alcohol license from Taunton’s License Commission. Although final approvals from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are still pending, the Welcome Center, which opened its doors in January 2025 on reservation land in Taunton, is now operating extended hours, seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The expansion of First Light Casino could potentially intensify competition in the regional gaming market, given the Tribe's full tribal gambling rights on their 151-acre reservation in Taunton. This development comes as the combined gross gaming revenue across the state's three licensed casinos has seen a decline from May 2025, which stood at $105.4 million.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission recently published the revenue numbers for June 2025, revealing a total of $97.7 million. Encore Boston Harbor, one of the state's casinos, saw a slight decrease in its share of the total revenue, dropping from $43.1 million in June 2024 to $42.9 million in June 2025. However, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino recorded increases in revenue. MGM Springfield saw a 4.1% rise, with revenue climbing from $21.9 million in June 2024 to $22.8 million in June 2025, while Plainridge Park Casino experienced a 5.9% increase, rising from $13.8 million in June 2024 to $14.6 million in June 2025.
It's important to note that the specific games or services contributing to these revenue figures have not been disclosed. Furthermore, the article does not provide any information about changes in casino operations or customer behaviour that may have influenced these revenue trends.
This news is a testament to the dynamic landscape of gaming in Massachusetts, with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's expansion plans potentially reshaping the commercial casino landscape in the state.
This special article was written by Charlotte Capewell for [specific website].
[1] Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Expands Taunton Casino Welcome Center, Plans for Full-Scale Resort. (2025). [specific website]. Retrieved from [specific URL]
[2] Taunton Casino Welcome Center Obtains Alcohol License, Plans to Serve Alcohol Pending Final Approval. (2025). [specific website]. Retrieved from [specific URL]
[3] Massachusetts Casinos See Revenue Decline in June 2025. (2025). [specific website]. Retrieved from [specific URL]
[4] Massachusetts Gaming Commission Releases June 2025 Revenue Numbers. (2025). [specific website]. Retrieved from [specific URL]
- The expansion and forthcoming full-scale casino of First Light, A Native Casino, led by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, might influence the trends in casino-games and casino-culture within the Massachusetts gambling market.
- The growing competition between casino personalities and establishments, such as Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino, becomes increasingly evident as they strive to adapt to the evolving casino-and-gambling landscape in Massachusetts, following the expansion of the First Light Casino.
