Tribes face hurdles in bid for New York casinos

Friday, August 7, 2009  

Four tribes are seeking to open casinos in New York but all face regulatory, legal and political hurdles.

The Shinnecock Nation needs to gain federal recognition before pursuing a casino. A preliminary answer is due by December but it could take years before the tribe acquires land for a casino and reaches a Class III gaming compact with the state.

The Seneca Nation wants to open an off-reservation casino in the Catskills. But rather than go through the Interior Department, the tribe is asking Congress to approve the facility, a rarity on Capitol Hill.

The Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians of Wisconsin and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe are also going the off-reservation route. Both were rejected by the Bush administration and are hoping for better chances under President Barack Obama but so far nothing has changed in that arena.

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Nations seek N.Y. casinos (Indian Country Today 8/7)