Politicians in New York say the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe stands the best chance to open a casino in the Catskills now that Gov. George Pataki (R) has delayed plans for up to five casinos.

The tribe previously won federal approval to open an off-reservation casino in the Catskills, 90 minutes north of New York City. After switching developers, the tribe had to restart the land-into-trust process with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The application has been pending for four years but the tribe is in a better position than the four other tribes -- including three from out-of-state -- who were promised casinos by Pataki. Those deals have been delayed in response to the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Oneida Nation case.

Get the Story:
Mohawks are faves for casino (The New York Daily News 4/18)