Seneca president discusses expansion of non-Indian gaming

Friday, January 20, 2012  

Seneca Nation President Robert Odawi Porter discussed an expansion of non-Indian gaming on Thursday, as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) submitted a proposed constitutional amendment.

Porter was interviewed by New York Post State Editor Fred U. Dicker on Talk 1300 AM. He said the Class III gaming compact, which promises the tribe a zone of exclusivity, should be respected.

“Last year, the state Senate did pass a bill that did move forward with a Constitutional amendment, but it carved out and recognized our compact and our exclusive right. So that’s the form of legislation that we’re preferring right now,” Porter said.

The amendment proposed by Cuomo doesn't address the tribe's concerns. Just eight words long, it would allow the state to authorize and regulate new non-Indian gaming facilities.

“If New York and its officials want to expand gaming in other parts of the state so they can have full-blown casinos, so be it. But it doesn’t have to come at our expense. You don’t have to destroy to gain,” Porter said in response.

The proposed amendment to Article I of the New York State Constitution reads: “And except casino gambling regulated by the state."

Get the Story:
Cuomo submits gambling change (The Buffalo News 1/20)