Stockbridge Munsee casino faces major opposition in New York

Thursday, November 18, 2010  

The Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians of Wisconsin will face major hurdles in its bid to open a casino in New York.

The tribe needs federal approval for its land-into-trust application and its Class II gaming compact. Since the anticipated deal apparently involves a land claim, Congress might also need to weigh in.

Although Gov. David Paterson ( (D) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) support the project, other tribes in the state aren't too pleased. “We, and presumably every other Indian nation, were stunned to learn that the state of New York would invite an out-of-state tribe into the state to conduct gaming, which means that all of the profits will be drained from New York and returned to their home in Wisconsin,” said Mark Emery, a spokesperson for the Oneida Nation.

“Governor Paterson’s deal with the out-of-state Stockbridge-Munsee tribe to create a Catskills casino is an affront to the Seneca Nation of Indians,” said Richard Nephew, council chairman of the Seneca Nation, The New York Times reported.

In the history of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, only one tribe -- the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma -- has successfully crossed state lines to open a casino.

Get the Story:
A Deal to Build a Casino in the Catskills Draws Ire (The New York Times 11/18)
Gov. David Paterson, Stockbridge-Munsee band eye $700 million Catskills casino, end of land claim in Madison County (The Syracuse Post-Standard 11/18)
Catskills casino deal could be in limbo for years despite talks between Gov. Paterson, Indian tribe (The New York Daily News 11/18)
Aqueduct vendors vexed by Catskills deal (The Albany Times-Union 11/17)
Stockbridge-Munsees optimistic about Sullivan casino deal Mid-Hudson News Network 11/17)

Related Stories:
Stockbridge Munsee Band reaches deal for casino in New York (11/17)