BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick is suing to block the Martha’s Vineyard-based Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe from opening a small casino on the island.

Patrick on Monday filed a lawsuit with the state Supreme Judicial Court arguing that the Aquinnah ceded gambling rights in a 1983 settlement that secured tribal lands on the island.

The tribe has disputed that interpretation of the agreement.

Tribal leaders last month said they had gained federal approval to build a gambling facility that could offer high-stakes electronic bingo or poker games and some types of slot machines.

The tribe said it plans to convert an unfinished community center into a casino.