The Seneca Nation of New York hopes the new administration of president-elect Barack Obama will be receptive to an off-reservation casino.

The tribe hopes to build a casino in the Catskills. Bush administration policy makes approval virtually impossible.

"The Nation is acquiring the land in anticipation of a change in national policy by the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama regarding gaming on newly acquired territories. The Bush Administration established a firm policy against so-called 'off-territory' gaming two years ago and all such proposals nationally have been stymied ever since," the tribe said in a press release.

The tribe operates two off-reservation casinos but the land for those facilities was acquired in connection with a land claim settlement. The tribe won't seek the same exception for the Catskills project.

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Senecas face real hurdles in Catskills casino plans (The Olean Times Herald 1/8)