City at 'critical point' without Seneca Nation casino revenue

Friday, March 30, 2012  

The Seneca Nation has withheld about $400 million in gaming revenues from the state and local communities that depend on the money have been hurting.

The city of Niagara Falls is at a "critical point," controller Maria Brown told The Niagara Gazette. All of the money that was received from the tribe's off-reservation casino has dried up.

“The city has been using its reserves in anticipation of the casino funds coming for a two-year period,” Brown told the paper. “We now have to say ‘the projects have to stop.’ We are now at a critical point and we need to say ‘nobody can ask for any more money.’”

The tribe is withholding the money because it says the state has allowed an expansion of non-Indian gaming. The tribe's Class III compact promises a zone of exclusivity in exchange for a share of gaming revenues.

The tribe at point offered to send the money directly to affected communities but the prior state governor didn't approve of the idea.

Get the Story:
Falls finds itself down on its luck with casino cash (The Niagara Gazette 3/29)

Also Today:
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Seneca Nation scales back plans for off-reservation casino (3/28)