Indian Gaming

The Oneida Nation didn't feel threatened by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), who has pushed for an expansion of non-Indian gaming, tribal Representative Ray Halbritter said.

The tribe negotiated a new Class III gaming compact that includes revenue sharing provisions. Halbritter said negotiations with Cuomo went quickly -- the deal came together in just two weeks.

"I would say in the last 20 years since we've had the compact, his approach was a reasonable one. It wasn't laced with threats and such because I don't think anybody responds well to that," Halbritter told The Syracuse Post-Standard.

The tribe agreed to share 25 percent of slot machine revenues, a rate similar to two other tribal compacts in the state. In return, the state promised a region of exclusivity in 10 counties.

As part of the deal, Madison and Oneida counties will receive a portion of the revenues shared with the state. The counties, which have fought the tribe on taxation, sovereignty and numerous other issues, agreed to drop their land-into-trust lawsuit.

"In 20 years, we've had all kinds of people who wanted to challenge the casino's existence and we're still here. The point of having an agreement and the significance of the agreement is that it ends the disputes we have outstanding, which is nice to have," Halbritter told the paper.

Get the Story:
Oneida Indian Nation Leader Ray Halbritter discusses the Cuomos, casino competition (The Syracuse Post-Standard 5/20)
How Gov. Cuomo, the Oneida Indian Nation and two counties made historic deal in record time (The Syracuse Post-Standard 5/19)

Related Stories:
Oneida Nation negotiates a new Class III gaming compact (5/16)