The state gambling commission today took the first tentative step toward opening Southeastern Massachusetts to commercial casino development, contemplating a plan to accept applications from commercial developers while simultaneously allowing the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to continue its pursuit of a tribal casino in the area.

Should the tribe make significant progress, the commission would likely drop the commercial bids and allow the tribe to proceed, creating a potential risk for commercial developers who would need to invest money in pursuing a project that might never be licensed.