Column: Tribes concerned about commercial casinos in New York

The tribes, understandably, fear their revenues could be adversely affected by fierce competition only a few hours away. Within days of the announcement — that the state had selected three sites in Seneca, Sullivan and Schenectady counties — Seneca Nation of President Maurice John Sr. made it clear to his people that the Seneca Gaming Corporation was continuing to explore the expansion of its three Western New York operations. In addition to the Seneca casino here, it also has gaming facilities in Buffalo and in Cattaraugus County.

In his current message to the Senecas, John noted the selection of the $425 million project in the Town of Tyre is close to the eastern edge of the nation’s “exclusivity zone” in the Finger Lakes. What upsets John and others at the executive level, the proposed site of the Lago Resort & Casino might draw hefty revenues from the present gaming markets (including the Seneca-operated facility) rather than create new revenues sources.

Meanwhile, the Oneida Indians, who own and operate the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, east of Utica, were generally reluctant to criticize the state site committee’s decision. “Turning Stone has operated since 1993 as if we had competition, and we’ve been preparing for it since then,” the tribe officials said in a statement,”We reininvest 100 percent of our revenue into our own community, and we will continue to do so.”