Seneca Nation ends dispute over Class III gaming compact

Friday, June 14, 2013

Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder Sr. and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announce gaming agreement in Niagara Falls. June 13, 2013. Photo Governor's Office

The Seneca Nation and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced a settlement to their Class III gaming compact dispute on Thursday.

The tribe agreed to share $140 million with local communities, or the full amount they would have received under the compact. The state will receive about $210 million while the tribe will keep the same amount in order to resolve a dispute over the exclusivity provisions in the agreement.

"Governor Cuomo did not start the dispute between the Seneca Nation and New York State, however, he has worked with the Nation to make the compact 'whole' once again," Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder Sr. said in a press release. "This agreement is in the best interest for all parties involved, and will ensure our Western New York gaming facilities will continue our exclusivity and that local governments in our region benefit from the casino revenue. We commend the Governor for his leadership so that both parties could come together to reach a fair and reasonable resolution on our disagreements."

The tribe withheld more than $600 million in revenues from the state due to a dispute over exclusivity provisions in the compact. Non-Indian gaming facilities are operating in the tribe's territory.

The video lottery terminal facilities will remain open but they won't be able to market themselves as casinos as part of the settlement. The state said it would enforce the tribe's exclusivity zone.

The deal does not require state or federal approval. It ends mediation that the parties had entered into under the compact.

To address future disagreements, the tribe and the state agreed to develop a new dispute resolution process.

Get the Story:
‘Historic day’ as casino feud is settled (The Buffalo News 6/14)
Senecas, state settle casino revenue dispute (The Olean Times Herald 6/14)
Falls to receive $89M as state, Senecas end their dispute (The Niagara Gazette 6/14)
Seneca deal a $208M break (The Albany Times-Union 6/14)
Seneca Tribe Reaches Deal With Cuomo on Gambling (The New York Times 6/14)
Senecas, Cuomo announce gambling pact (The Elmira Star-Gazette 6/14)
Area Officials React To Resolution (The Jamestown Post-Journal 6/14)
Complex casino gaming bill — and complex Indian pacts that go with it — still in limbo (The Saratogian 6/14)
Cities to Receive Millions in Casino Revenue (WGRZ 6/13)
New York reaches deal with Seneca Nation on casino revenue (Reuters 6/13)

An Opinion
Mark Scheer: Finally, the casino cash stalemate is over (The Niagara Gazette 6/13) Related Stories:
Seneca Nation working for a settlement to compact dispute (6/13)