Maine’s Native American tribes have been trying for decades to be allowed to operate a gaming casino, but those efforts have always been rejected, whether by lawmakers, a governor or by voters.

On Thursday, the Legislature gave final passage to a bill that would allow the Maine tribes the same rights most other tribes in the country have under federal law, which would let them open a casino on tribal land. The tribes are currently bound by state law, under the requirements of the 1980 Maine Indian Land Claim Settlement.

Rep. Ben Collings of Portland sponsored the bill this year, which now has been sent to Governor Mills to sign or veto.