It was announced this week that Middleborough voters must approve all the terms and conditions of any contract with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to build a casino and resort in the city. Attorney Daniel Murray informed selectmen in a letter that according to state laws, voters must authorize such contracts before a deal is formalized.

“This is exactly what we were asking for,” David Parker, member of the anti-casino group called Casinofacts. “We're hearing everyone say we are a minority voice. That's absolutely not true, and we're going to prevail.” On the other hand, casino supporters were also pleased with the news.

“I'm all for doing whatever the law dictates for us to do, so we won't have some issue come up down the road,” Victoria Bond, a casino supporter whose husband is Selectman Adam Bond, said. Ms Bond is also part of a group of casino proponents who have chosen the name Citizens for a Better Middleborough.

Authorities of the Wampanoag Tribe, which was recognized by the federal government by the beginning of 2007, have informed that unless a deal is achieved soon, they will start looking for a new casino location.