Oneida Nation asks state to deny license for non-Indian casino

Friday, April 3, 2015

Artist's rendering of the Lago Resort & Casino in New York. Photo from Facebook

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The Oneida Nation is asking the New York Gaming Commission to deny a commercial license to a non-Indian developer that wants to open a competing facility.

The $425 million Lago Resort & Casino in the town of Tyre sits on the edge of the tribe's exclusivity zone. It's also not far from three non-Indian racinos that are also worried about competition.

"There is no lawful justification for the board to subject Upstate, primarily Native American casinos, to cannibalization deemed intolerable for Downstate, non-Native American, casinos," the tribe said in the letter to the state commission, The Syracuse Post-Standard reported.

A non-Indian racino is already suing the state in hopes of blocking the license. A tribal spokesperson wouldn't rule out litigation either.

The Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, Photo from Twitter

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In December, the New York Gaming Facility Location Board recommended three finalists for the first commercial licenses in the state. The Lago project would be in the Southern Tier/Finger Lakes Region.

In recommending a total of three finalists in three different regions, the board passed over three projects that included tribes.

Get the Story:
Oneida Indian Nation urges denial of Lago Resort & Casino application (AP 4/2)
In 20-page letter, Oneidas rip proposed Finger Lakes casino (The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle 4/3)
Oneidas to NY: Deny casino license to Lago (The Syracuse Post-Standard 4/3)
Oneida Nation: NY Gaming Commission should deny Seneca County casino application (The Auburn Citizen 4/3) Related Stories:
Column: Tribes concerned about commercial casinos in New York (01/22)
New York passes over tribes for first commercial casino licenses (12/18)