The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe of New York won't start negotiating a deal for an off-reservation casino until the Obama administration clarifies its gaming policy, The Middletown Times Herald-Record reports.

The Bush administration rejected the tribe's proposed casino in the Catskills, saying it was too far from the reservation. Tribal leaders hope Obama takes a different stance but it's been over a year since the president took office and no policy has been issued.

"We are waiting for that," tribal spokesperson Dave Staddon told the paper. "Certainly the Obama administration have clearly indicated that they are willing to reconsider it, but I don't know at what time that will be ... . I would hope they could render a decision by the end of the year."

Tribal members voted 538-371 in favor of pursuing a casino in the Catskills. The tribe will be working with Empire Resorts on the project.

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Mohawks' vote to try for Sullivan County casino may mean little (The Middletown Times Herald-Record 2/2)