Published on: January 5, 2026, 02:01h.
Updated on: January 5, 2026, 02:01h.
- First Light Casino in Massachusetts extends operational hours
- The casino features midnight specials three nights a week
First Light, a Native American casino located in Taunton, Massachusetts, aims to transform into a late-night destination with its new midnight specials.
Owned and operated by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, this modular temporary casino boasts a Class II electronic bingo facility with more than 200 slot-like machines and a welcome center that highlights plans for a larger, permanent casino in the future.
As of yesterday, First Light now operates from 8 am to 2 am, every day of the week. Prior to this change, the casino opened its doors at 10 am daily.
“Whether you’re an early bird or prefer a night out, First Light Casino is here for you,” stated the casino. The new hours are aimed at providing “more opportunities for enjoyment.”
Midnight Promotions
In addition to the new operating hours, First Light is positioning itself as a late-night haven with exclusive promotions immediately after midnight.
From midnight on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, players enrolled in the casino’s rewards program will receive double points on their gaming activity until closing time at 2 am.
On Mondays, all rewards members can enjoy a $10 free play bonus post-midnight. For Tuesdays, eligible individuals including veterans, first responders, teachers, tribal members, and patrons aged 50+ receive a $5 free play bonus after midnight. Wednesdays will see the first 150 guests awarded $10 in free play.
In the lead-up to the holidays, First Light ran a lighthearted advertising campaign that playfully addressed its longstanding efforts to open a casino in Massachusetts.
In 2012, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe forged a partnership with Malaysian gaming conglomerate Genting to establish a $1 billion casino resort on their newly acquired land. However, fluctuating opinions from the Bureau of Indian Affairs stunted progress, ultimately causing Genting to withdraw from the agreement.
The federal agency issued varied interpretations regarding the sovereign status of the selected hundreds of acres acquired by the Mashpee Tribe in 2012. In February 2023, the land was finally recognized for self-governance, enabling the tribe to engage in Class I and II gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Last April, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe established a Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Taunton, designating 2.05% of the gross gaming revenue from the casino to the city in exchange for relinquishing legal claims over more than $2.35 million in property taxes owed by the tribe.
Seeking Financial Partners
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe aspires to commence construction on a permanent casino in the future but needs a development partner to bring the project to fruition. The tribe has adjusted its resort plans down to an estimated budget of $100 million.
To attract potential financiers, gaining Class III gaming privileges is likely essential. Class III gaming permits traditional slot machines, live dealer table games, and sports betting, akin to the offerings at tribal casinos in nearby Connecticut. So far, Massachusetts lawmakers and Governor Maura Healey (D) have shown limited willingness to negotiate a tribal gaming compact.