Indian Gaming

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said his plan for three casinos won't violate existing Class III gaming compacts.

In his State of the State address, Cuomo called for three casinos in upstate New York. When asked by reporters why the western part of the state wasn't included, he said the region is protected by exclusivity provisions in existing compacts.

However, Cuomo said the state will only honor compacts that are "in good standing." “If it says there’s an exclusivity geographically, then we’re not going to violate any contract that’s in good standing," he told reporters.

Cuomo's remarks suggest that he will support a casino in western New York if the Seneca Nation compact, for instance, was nullified in some respect. The compact is currently before an arbitration panel because the tribe has accused the state of violating the exclusivity provisions.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe also signed a compact with exclusivity provisions. The Mohawks, like the Senecas, are withholding gaming revenues from the state.

The Oneida Nation, on the other hand, does not have exclusivity provisions in its compact. The tribe is located upstate.

Get the Story:
Cuomo suggests no new casinos for WNY (The Buffalo News 1/11)
State casino plan appears to leave out WNY (The Niagara Gazette 1/11)

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New York governor calls for expansion of non-Indian gaming (1/10)