Taunton’s First Light Casino Welcome Center has opened a major expansion, transforming what began as a small trailer with 10 slot machines into a larger gaming facility with 200 machines, new attractions, and extended hours.
Operated by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the casino marked the opening of its new wing on July 28 with special events and the introduction of additional slot games and entertainment. The expansion follows several months of construction and has more than tripled the size of the gaming floor.
“As of yesterday, if you walked in here, you would’ve seen 54 machines; that wall was torn down overnight, and it expanded to 200 machines and other vendors,” said Selena Hendricks, secretary gaming authority for the tribe’s Board of Directors. “As far as what’s to come, we don’t know what the future holds, hopefully something bigger.”
The expanded floor now features a range of electronic gaming options, including titles such as Buffalo and Ultimate Fire Link, as well as ARIES-Coin Pushers and Bluberi games, which the tribe says are exclusive to the First Light Casino in the region.
The expansion was accompanied by new hours of operation, with the casino now open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. To mark the occasion, the casino launched a series of promotional events, beginning with a “Money Monday” event on July 28, where patrons were invited to step into a money machine and grab as much cash as possible in a set amount of time.
Additional events included “Winners Wednesday” on July 30, when the first 100 guests arriving after 8 p.m. received $10 in free play, and “Savory Saturday” is set to follow on August 2, which will feature food trucks serving visitors from noon to 5 p.m.
Plans for the Welcome Center also include a beverage license recently approved by Taunton’s License Commission. Casino officials say details are still being finalized for how alcohol service will be introduced, with possibilities including a bar or a designated drinking area. The proposal must also be reviewed by federal regulators before it is implemented.
The July 28 opening marks the latest phase of growth for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s long-planned First Light Casino project, which has been scaled back from the original large-scale development announced in 2016.
In a statement, the tribe described the expansion as “a game-changing expansion” aimed at building momentum for the project’s future. “Our expanded casino floor isn’t just about more games — it’s about elevating the experience,” the statement said.
