New York Legislator Advocating for Seneca Territory Calls on Governor to Negotiate Fresh Agreement
A passionate state representative from New York, Joseph Giglio (R-District 148), has grown frustrated with Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) leisurely approach to hammering out a fresh Class III gaming agreement with the Seneca Nation.
Giglio, who represents the southwestern region of upstate New York since 2015, finds himself in a district that houses three of the Seneca Nation’s gaming properties.
Giglio implores Hochul and the Democratic party, which controls both houses of the New York State Legislature, to speed up negotiations for a new revenue-sharing arrangement with the Seneca Nation.
According to remarks made to the Olean Times Herald, Giglio emphasized the importance of a new gaming compact to the regional economy in Western New York due to the Seneca Nation's gaming operations.
The current Seneca Nation gaming compact, which grants the tribe exclusive rights to slot machines and live dealer table games west of State Route 14 in Upstate New York, expired in December 2022. Since then, the tribe has deposited 25% of its gross slot revenue into an escrow account.
With Giglio not seeking reelection and the State Legislature adjourned for 2024, his legislative responsibilities have wrapped up, except for the prospect that Hochul might summon a special session to endorse a gaming compact.
Negotiations Bogged Down
Last year in June, Hochul's office and the Seneca Nation announced a tentative agreement to set up a new 20-year compact. This arrangement allegedly incorporated a lower slot tax rate and the authorization of a tribal casino in Rochester as part of the gaming conditions.
Nevertheless, the deal faltered in the state Assembly after Rochester officials and state lawmakers representing the fourth most populated city in the state objected to the prospect of a tribal casino. These local leaders argued that they should have been part of the talks to bring a Vegas-style resort to the area.
Since the June 2023 tentative agreement was discarded by the Assembly, discussions regarding new terms have come to a halt.
The tribe insists that a reduced tax is merited following New York’s authorization of four upstate commercial casinos in 2013 and the expected issuance of three full-scale downstate casino licenses next year. The Senecas, Giglio asserts, deserve a new, fair deal that would enable the escrow money to reach the numerous local towns that rely on it and enable the tribe to plan for its economic future more effectively.
Giglio believes it's high time for the executive branch negotiating team to reconvene and negotiate sincerely with the Seneca Nation for the benefit of everyone in Western New York, both native and non-native.
The Seneca Nation’s casinos generate an annual impact of over $1 billion on the Western New York economy. The tribe’s casinos and gaming halls provide employment for more than 6,000 individuals, the large majority of whom are non-natives.
Extension of Agreement
After their 2023 compact was revoked, Hochul and the Seneca Nation agreed to quarterly extend the expired compact until a new one is reached. The next extension is planned for July 1.
Giglio's district encompasses Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, Seneca Gaming & Entertainment Salamanca, and Seneca Gaming & Entertainment Oil Spring.
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