Seneca Nation scales back plans for off-reservation casino

Wednesday, March 28, 2012  

The Seneca Nation announced plans for a $130 million permanent casino in Buffalo, New York.

The 45,000 square-foot Buffalo Creek Casino will feature 800 slot machines, 16 gaming tables, and a 715-car garage. The tribe expects to complete the facility in the summer of 2013.

"This new casino will be a national design leader for casinos in urban settings," said President Robert Odawi Porter, according to news reports.

The tribe originally envisioned a much larger and pricier facility. But economic concerns prompted the tribe to scale back its plans.

Legal challenges also weighed on the tribe. Gaming opponents have continued to question the legality of the off-reservation site.

"There's no point in getting beyond our core component, which is gaming, and this is our attempt to be good neighbors," Porter said, The Buffalo News reported. "It's very draining and expensive to be in constant conflict with people, especially your neighbors."

Get the Story:
Senecas roll the dice on new casino design (The Buffalo News 3/28)
Senecas unveil scaled-down Buffalo casino (Buffalo Business First 3/28)
Buffalo Creek Casino Scaled Back (WGRZ-TV 3/28)
Seneca Nation Unveils New Buffalo Creek Casino Design (WGRZ-TV 3/28)

Related Stories:
Seneca Nation to unveil plans for permanent Buffalo casino (3/27)