Non-Indian racetrack complains about Oneida Nation liquor

Monday, May 24, 2010  

The Vernon Downs racetrack asked the New York State Liquor Authority to rescind a liquor license at the Oneida Nation casino.

The track says the tribe intimidated local businesses by asking them to support liquor sales at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino. A tribal executive wrote an e-mail about the issue before the May 6 vote on the license.

“We should make clear that we will significantly consider these partners’ support — or lack thereof — when our current relationships with them come due,” Oneida Nation Enterprises Senior Vice President Peter Carmen said in the e-mail, The Oneida Dispatch reported.

The liquor license was awarded to CD Food & Beverage. The company has leased all of the restaurant, hotel, entertainment and gaming floor space at the casino.

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 upgrade rankles (The Albany Times-Union 5/24)
Oneida Indian Nation e-mail urged local suppliers to support liquor application (The Oneida Dispatch 5/21)

Related Stories:
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)