Compacts | New York

Seneca Nation shares $349M in gaming revenues with state

Friday, August 2, 2013

The Seneca Nation shared $349 million in gaming revenues with the state of New York, with three communities receiving big checks in long-awaited funds.

The tribe withheld more than $550 million as part of a dispute over exclusivity provisions in the Class III gaming compacts. But an agreement with Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) ended the feud.

“This agreement marks the beginning of a new chapter between the Seneca Nation of Indians, the City of Niagara Falls and New York, built on trust and mutual respect," President Barry Snyder said at a ceremony at the tribe's casino in Niagara Falls, The Buffalo News reported.

Niagara Falls received a check for $89 million dollars, the largest amount. The city of Salamanca received $34.5 million and the city of Buffalo received $15.5 million.

As part of the agreement, the state won't allow non-Indian casinos in the tribe's zone of exclusivity. Three racetracks are being barred from marketing themselves as "casinos" and aren't allowed to say they offer “slot machines” when in fact they offer video lottery terminals.

Get the Story:
Casino Money Distributed to Host Communities (WKBW 8/2)
Gaming commission takes action to curb racino marketing (The Buffalo News 8/2)
Paid In Full (The Jamestown Post-Journal 8/1)
Optimism high for turning around Niagara Falls, NY (WBFO 8/1)
Senecas leader hands governor check for $349 million (The Buffalo News 7/31)

An Opinion:
Editorial: Step in the right direction (The Olean Times Herald 8/2)