New York

New York voters easily approve non-Indian gaming referendum

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Voters in New York easily approved a referendum [PDF: Proposal 1] to expand non-Indian gaming.

According to the unofficial results, "Proposal One - Authorizing Casino Gaming" won 57 percent of the vote. The referendum authorizes as many as seven non-Indian casinos around the state.

"The passage of Proposal One is a big win for local governments, school districts, and taxpayers across New York State," Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said in a statement. "This vote will keep hundreds of millions of dollars spent each year in neighboring states right here in New York, while increasing revenue for local schools, lowering property tax taxes, and bringing proper regulation to the industry. This vote builds on the landmark agreements we reached with Native American tribes this year, ending expensive court battles and unnecessary discord and restoring hundreds of millions of dollars to local governments."

Tribal territories are excluded from consideration due to revenue-sharing deals signed between Cuomo and the Oneida Nation, the Seneca Nation and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.

Get the Story:
Expansion of Gambling in New York Is Approved (The New York Times 11/6)
New York voters approve casino referendum despite opposition in Central New York (The Syracuse Post-Standard 11/6)
Voters approve casino measure (The Buffalo News 11/6)