New York governor considers expansion of non-Indian gaming

Wednesday, August 10, 2011  

An expansion of non-Indian gaming is on the table, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) said.

The state already allows electronic gaming machines at non-Indian racetracks. Cuomo said he is considering full-scale commercial casinos.

“It’s a topic we are looking at actively,” Cuomo said, the Associated Press reported.

The state constitution will have to be amended to authorize commercial gaming. That could affect existing Class III gaming compacts with the Seneca Nation and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.

The compacts promise the tribes exclusivity for Class III games. The two tribes have been withholding payments because they say the state has already allowed an expansion of non-Indian gaming.

State law also allows up to three tribal casinos in the Catskills, a region close to New York City. So far, no tribe has been able to open a casino there.

Get the Story:
Cuomo Weighs Ending State Limits on Casino Gambling (The New York Times 8/10)
Will New York get more casinos under Cuomo administration? (The Albany Times-Union 8/10)
Cuomo says NY now reviewing whether to bring commercial, non-Indian casinos to New York (AP 8/9)