New York's highest court refused to hear the Oneida Nation's gaming compact case on Thursday.

A lower court ruled that the compact for the Turning Stone Resort and Casino was invalid because it did not have state legislative approval. The tribe subsequently appealed but was turned down.

The tribe contends it has federal approval to operate the casino. But the National Indian Gaming Commission considers the issue "unresolved" but won't move to shut down the facility.

The casino is on land that is not held in trust but is part of the historic Oneida Reservation. The tribe is seeking to have 18,000 acres it owns within the reservation placed in trust.

Get the Story:
Court won't hear lawsuit challenging Turning Stone (The Utica Observer-Dispatch 5/5)
Tribe loses appeal over casino pact (The Albany Times-Union 5/5)
Turning Stone appeal denied (WNYT-TV 5/4)
State's top court refuses to hear appeal in gaming compact case (AP 5/4)