Taunton casino Welcome Center opens with slot machines
TAUNTON - The future site of the First Light Casino in Taunton now has slot machines on hand inside a small structure on the property. The casino is still in its infant stages, but the Welcome Center is a preview of what is to come.
10 slot machines operational
"So, a soft open is just basically, they just have the 10 slot machines inside in the Welcome Center operational," said Jay Pateakos, Taunton Economic and Community Development Director.
"They call it a preview. So what they're saying is it's a Welcome Center, you know come in, learn a little bit about the Mashpee Wampanoag history and then you know see what some of the slot machines that they're going to be featuring at a future build."
The structure sits on Mashpee Wampanoag land that will one day grow into the First Light Casino. The slot machines inside are actively giving payouts, but during the soft open phase all proceeds from the machines are going to tribal charities.
"On January 26, their plan for 11 a.m. on that day is to open up," said Pateakos.
All appeals exhausted
So far, there is no completion date for the casino nor are there any renderings, design plans, or square footage numbers. It will happen however, despite a group of residents suing to stop it.
"The appeals processes have all been exhausted, so the tribe is ready to go," said Pateakos.
He also hopes the casino can act as a development catalyst. They have been trying to attract people back after the closure of Silver City Galleria Mall in 2021.
"This could become a destination, and lead to development. We are working on a ton of development off of Route 140," said Pateakos. "We have an interchange project here that will be done in 2026, so it will be much easier to get to this location."