St. Regis Mohawk Tribe holds onto $30M in gaming dispute

Tuesday, May 28, 2013  

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is placing $30 million in gaming revenues in escrow as part of an agreement with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).

The tribe agreed to pay $30 million right away to settle a dispute over exclusivity provisions in the Class III gaming compact. The remaining $30 million will be paid pending resolution of the tribe's land claim.

“We’ve waited many years for a governor who was willing to sit down with all the parties to the land claim to come to a negotiated settlement. Governor Cuomo has accomplished much in the short time we’ve been meeting directly with him. He has given us assurances that our outstanding issues will be dealt with fairly,” Chief Ron LaFrance, Jr. said in a press release.

The tribe will continue to share 25 percent of gaming revenues with the state under a eight-county zone of exclusivity.

Get the Story:
Mohawk will retain exclusivity for their northern NY casino (The Legislative Gazette 5/28)

Editorial: Unresolved issues in Mohawk gaming agreement (5/27)