Liquor sales began today at the Oneida Nation casino in New York.

The tribe sought a liquor license for more than a decade. The New York State Liquor Authority never granted one due to concerns about taxation, jurisdiction and sovereignty.

That changed when the tribe partnered with the owners of Beeches Restaurant. The tribe signed an agreement to lease all of the restaurant, hotel, entertainment and gaming floor space to CD Food & Beverage, which won the license earlier this month.

As part of the arrangement, CD will pay sales taxes to Oneida County and to the state, along with a county occupancy tax on hotel rooms. CD will also pay an 8 percent sales tax to the tribe and a 3 percent occupancy tax to the tribe.

Get the Story:
Alcohol at Turning Stone, big day for the Destitos (The Utica Observer-Dispatch 5/27)
Turning Stone will expand liquor sales (The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle 5/26)
CD Food & Beverage to begin serving alcohol May 27 at Turning Stone Casino and Resort (The Oneida Dispatch 5/25)

Related Stories:
Liquor license for Oneida Nation casino not delayed after all (5/25)
Non-Indian racetrack complains about Oneida Nation liquor (5/24)
Oneida Nation details arrangement for casino alcohol sales (5/11)
New York board approves liquor for Oneida Nation casino (5/7)
New York board delays decision on Oneida casino alcohol (4/29)
New York liquor board considers alcohol at Oneida casino (4/28)
Permit could lead to liquor sales at Oneida Nation casino (4/14)