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