Kevin Washburn speaks at the White House Tribal Nations Conference in Washington, D.C., on November 5, 2015.. Photo: U.S. Department of the Interior

Compacts | New York

Seneca Nation enters arbitration with New York over revenue sharing dispute

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

The Seneca Nation and the state of New York are entering arbitration to resolve a Class III gaming compact dispute.

The tribe has chosen Kevin Washburn, a former leader of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as its representative for the proceedings. Washburn, who previously worked for the National Indian Gaming Commission, is a professor at University of Mexico Law School and continues to share his expertise on tribal issues.

“Mr. Washburn is a leading authority in the area of Indian law and policy, and we are confident in his service as a member of the arbitration panel,” Seneca Nation President Todd Gates said in a press release. “He brings a deep understanding of the federal framework that governs all Native gaming compacts, compact obligations, and how state governments should interact with Native nations.”

The state, meanwhile, has selected attorney Henry Gutman as its representative. He served on an arbitration panel during a prior revenue sharing dispute that resulted largely in a win for the tribe.

The new dispute arose after the tribe halted revenue payments earlier this year, contending they were no long required under the Class III gaming compact. Since 2002, the tribe shared $1.4 billion with the state.

The state contends the payments must continue.

Read More on the Story:
Don Glynn: Law experts to decide on casino pact (The Niagara Gazette November 16, 2017)
Seneca Nation picks attorney for arbitration process (The Niagara Gazette November 1, 2017)
Senecas choose Indian law scholar for arbitration over payments (The Albany Times-Union November 1, 2017)
Seneca Nation and New York State select arbitrators for casino dispute (Spectrum News November 1, 2017)