Rapid Growth Timeline of a Southern Boston Tribal Casino Since Its Early-Year Opening
In East Taunton, Massachusetts, the Taunton Casino, owned by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, has made significant changes to its operating schedule and services. The casino, formerly known as the Welcome Center, has rebranded as "First Light, A Native Casino" and is now open seven days a week.
The new operating hours for the Taunton Casino will commence on July 28, 2025. The casino will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, marking an extension of its previous closing time of midnight. The new schedule means that the casino will now be open every day of the week, including weekends, offering patrons the opportunity to enjoy gaming activities late into the night.
The Taunton Casino's expansion may signal a shift towards prioritizing gaming activities. This is further supported by the increase in the number of slot machines offered. Initially, the casino had 10 slot-like electronic bingo machines. This number increased to 50 following a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City of Taunton in March 2025. The tribe is now seeking permission to expand to up to 250 gaming terminals.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has also obtained a liquor license for the casino, allowing it to serve alcohol. With the extended operating hours, this could mean that patrons will be able to enjoy drinks while gaming. However, the casino has not yet announced any changes to its opening time.
The Taunton Casino's rebranding and expansion plans align with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's long-held goals of building a major casino resort in Taunton. The tribe continues to work towards this vision, aiming to attract a wider range of customers with its extended hours and increased gaming opportunities.
The Taunton Casino, now rebranded as "First Light, A Native Casino," is planning to extend its gaming opportunities with the proposed expansion to up to 250 gaming terminals, offering a variety of casino-games for patrons starting from July 28, 2025. With the new operating hours from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., casino-goers can now indulge in casino-and-gambling activities seven days a week, including late nights on weekends.
