Keep casinos in Catskills, lawmaker says

Friday, February 23, 2007  

A New York state lawmaker wants to make sure tribes don't try to open casinos outside of the Catskills.

State law authorizes up to three casinos in the Catskills, about 90 minutes north of New York City. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is in the final stages of gaining federal approval for a casino in Sullivan County.

Two more casinos have been considered in Ulster County. They were put into the mix to settle the land claim of the Cayuga Nation of New York and the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma.

The Seneca-Cayuga Tribe has run into opposition for its casino plans in the county. And with the land claim dismissed from the federal courts, the tribes probably won't get a chance to pursue gaming there.

Nevertheless, State Assemblyman Kevin Cahill wants to keep Ulster County from being considered for casinos. But the county's senators say no changes are needed due to local opposition.

Get the Story:
Cahill: Prohibit casinos in Ulster (The Kingston Daily Freeman 2/23)
Cahill doesn't want casinos in Ulster County (The Mid-Hudson News Network 2/23)