The Seneca Nation began withholding gaming revenues from the state of New York about three years ago and it looks like the dispute won't be ending any time soon.

The Class III gaming compact promises regional exclusivity in exchange for a share of revenues. The money is then funneled to local communities.

But the tribe says the state has allowed an expansion of non-Indian gaming and has withheld more than $400 million. That has left communities like Niagara Falls without $58 million and Buffalo without $10 million.

"We didn't have a crystal ball to know that the dispute between the Senecas and the state would escalate to the point it has today," State Sen. George D. Maziarz (R) told The Buffalo News.

The tribe at one point proposed to give the money directly to the communities but dispute is now headed into mediation with the state.

Get the Story:
GAMBLING DISPUTE IS BUST FOR NIAGARA FALLS; CITY ON LIFE SUPPORT (The Niagara Falls Reporter 7/10)
Bargaining for a better casino deal (The Buffalo News 7/9)
Falls is victim in casino funds standoff (The Buffalo News 7/8)

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Seneca Nation seeking solution to gaming revenues dispute (05/07)