NIGC has no plans to shut down Oneida Nation casino

Wednesday, May 2, 2007  

The National Indian Gaming Commission has no plans to seek the closure of the Oneida Nation's casino in upstate New York, a spokesperson said.

The tribe is operating without a valid compact, according to the Interior Department. But NIGC Is hopeful that the issue can be resolved, the spokesperson said.

The tribe and the state signed a compact back in 1993 that was approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. But the agreement has since been invalidated in the state courts.

Interior gave the tribe and the state until April 30 to decide how to negotiate a compact. Although the two sides have different positions on the issue, they both say Interior has no authority to act.

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