Businessman wants casino to benefit St. Regis Mohawk Tribe


An aerial view of the GM Massena Superfund site in New York. Photo by Dominic Tricase

A businessman in New York is proposing a casino that he says will benefit the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.

Thomas G. Gramuglia wants to build a casino on the GM Massena Superfund site. The 270-acre property borders the reservation, whose residents would receive 5 percent of revenues through per capita payments.

“If the casino generates $100 million in revenue, that would make available to a family of four a payment of $10,000 per year,” Gramuglia told Johnson Newspapers. “That’s a good chunk of money.”


The gaming floor at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort in New York. Photo from St. Regis Mohawk Tribe

After 99 years, Gramuglia wants the land to be transferred to the tribe, whose leaders haven't commented on the proposal. The tribe operates the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and Resort on its reservation and has regional exclusivity for Class III games.

Gramuglia said the tribe's consent would be required for the new facility. The Akwesasne Casino is less than 10 miles driving distance from the Massena site, according to Google Maps.

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Massena businessman proposes casino for former GM site (Johnson Newspapers 8/10)

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