Representative George Rogers is filing legislation that would allow casino gaming in Massachusetts but house Speaker Thomas M. Finneran, who did not return calls by press time, reportedly said that those gambling measures had very little chance of approval. The bill is overseen in the House by the Government Regulations Committee, whose chairman is Representative Dan Bosley, a longtime opponent of legalizing gambling in this state.

The Nipmucs are the second tribe here to receive Federal recognition, a distinction that is shaky as the Bush administration has declared it is now reviewing that decision. The Wampanoags of Martha's Vineyard have tried for years to get approval to build a casino in Massachusetts.