The Seneca Nation and state officers final week made the stunning announcement that the 2 sides had reached an settlement in precept for a brand new 20-year, Class III gaming compact.
Rochester is reportedly being focused by the Seneca Nation for a on line casino improvement. The rumbling has some lawmakers in Albany involved, as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s workplace seeks to enter into a brand new 20-year, Class III gaming compact with the federally acknowledged tribe. (Picture: Shutterstock)
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) recused herself from the discussions as a result of her husband works in an government capability for a corporation that immediately competes towards the Seneca gaming properties in upstate New York. The negotiations have been as an alternative managed by two Hochul aides who got the authority to deal with the talks on her behalf. Nonetheless, the ultimate settlement requires Hochul’s signature.
As soon as the governor and Senecas discover frequent floor, which they are saying they did final week, the revenue-sharing settlement requires legislative approval from the New York State Meeting. After the state Senate rapidly handed a invoice authorizing Hochul to signal a brand new Class III pact with the Senecas, the measure stalled within the Meeting the place some lawmakers voiced issues about rumors that the contract will permit the tribe to open a brand new on line casino in Rochester.
The Seneca Nation owns and operates three full-scale casinos with slots and desk video games, together with Seneca Niagara Resort & On line casino, Seneca Buffalo Creek On line casino, and Seneca Allegany Resort & On line casino. The tribe’s present compact, which was established in 2002 and which is ready to run out this December, offers the tribe exclusivity for slots and desk video games west of State Route 14.
Rochester Rumors
Pursuant to the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), federally acknowledged tribes can function Class I and II gaming on sovereign lands. To function Las Vegas-style gaming like slot machines and desk video games, tribes should enter into Class III compacts with their host states.
The Senecas and Hochul’s workplace supplied few particulars final week on the brand new compact when the settlement in precept was introduced. The compact that terminates December 9 prevents the Senecas from opening a fourth full-scale on line casino with slots and desk video games, although the tribe is allowed to open further slots-only services as long as the property is on sovereign land.
The tribe has acknowledged publicly lately its hopes of opening a on line casino in Rochester, although it doesn’t presently personal land within the metropolis that’s been deemed sovereign territory by the US Division of the Inside and its Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Compact Issues
Just one state Senator voted towards the invoice permitting Hochul’s workplace to signal a brand new Class III compact. The adversary was Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) who stated he desires to listen to about particular particulars relating to the compact earlier than lending his assist.
We’ve had this dialog as a group over the past a number of years. I simply didn’t really feel snug shifting ahead or authorizing any type of settlement with out talking immediately with the communities I symbolize or giving them a chance to have public enter,” Cooney informed WXXI radio.
The invoice has since stalled within the Meeting the place further lawmakers representing Rochester voiced issues.
“That is one thing that ought to be significantly mentioned in an open and clear approach, and if the rumor is appropriate that they’re contemplating probably downtown Rochester and even within the surrounding space of Rochester, native people ought to have a say,” Assemblyperson Harry Bronson (D-Rochester) informed Politico.
The New York State Meeting ended its 2023 legislative session over the weekend. Hochul is predicted to name a particular session to authorize the compact later this month.
