Seneca Nation looks for more off-reservation gaming options

Wednesday, September 7, 2011  

The Seneca Nation of New York is looking for more off-reservation casino options as the state considers an expansion of non-Indian gaming.

The tribe operates two off-reservation casinos -- one in downtown Buffalo and another in Niagara Falls. President Robert Odawi Porter says a third could be built in Rochester.

Rochester is a great opportunity for us if it happens. Whether it's something the community of Rochester and the state of New York want, that's another question," Porter said at a hearing of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported.

The tribe is also interesting in partnering with existing non-Indian racetracks. The land could be taken into trust in order to offer full-scale gaming, Porter said.

State law authorizes up to three off-reservation casinos in the Catskills region near New York City. The tribe doesn't appear to have submitted any land-into-trust applications but Porter said approval could be secured in as quickly as 60 days.

Get the Story:
Senecas willing to gamble on Rochester casino (The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle 9/7)
Senecas fear job loss under plan for casinos (The Buffalo News 9/7)
N.Y. called on to ‘honor its legal agreements’ (The Dunkirk Observer 9/7)
Seneca Nation Interested In Opening Rochester Casino ( WHAM-TV 9/6)
Seneca leader: No dice to more casinos (Buffalo Business First 9/6)

An Opinion:
Jim Calvin / New York Association of Convenience Stores: Seneca officials’ opinion omitted some key facts (The Buffalo News 9/7)

Related Stories:
Expansion of gaming in New York would break Class III compact (9/6)