Seneca Nation Compact bill slows down in state House amid Rochester casino rumors
The Seneca Nation and state officials made a surprise announcement last week that they had reached agreement in principle on a new 20-year Class III gaming contract.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has recused herself from the discussion because her husband is an executive at a company that competes directly with Seneca Gaming in upstate New York. Negotiations were led by two Hochul aides who were authorized to negotiate on their behalf. However, the final agreement required Hochul's signature.
Once the governor and Senecas find common ground, which they reportedly did last week, the revenue-sharing agreement will require legislative approval from the New York State Assembly. After the state Senate quickly passed a bill authorizing Hochul to sign a new Class III compact with the Seneca people, the measure stalled in the House, with some lawmakers expressing concern that the treaty would allow the tribe to open a new casino in Rochester. Rumors expressed concern.
Seneca Nation owns and operates three full-service casinos offering slot machines and table games, including Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino and Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino. The tribe's current contract, signed in 2002 and expiring in December, gives the tribe exclusive rights to operate slot machines and table games west of State Road 14.
Rochester Rumors
Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA), federally recognized tribes may operate Class I and Class II gaming operations on sovereign lands. To operate Las Vegas-style gaming, such as slot machines and table games, tribes must enter into a Category III treaty with their state.
Senecas and Hochul's offices did not provide some details about the new contract when they announced the agreement in principle last week. The agreement, which ends Dec. 9, prohibits the Seneca family from opening a fourth full-fledged casino with slot machines and table games, although the tribe can open additional slot machine facilities as long as the property is on sovereign land.
The tribe has publicly expressed its desire to open a casino in Rochester in recent years, even though the tribe currently owns no land in the city, which is considered sovereign territory by the U.S. Department of the Interior and its Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Compact focus
Only one state senator voted against the bill, which would have allowed Hochul's office to sign a new Level 3 contract. Opponent was Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester), who said he wanted to know the specifics of the deal before supporting it.
We as a community have been having this conversation for the past few years. "I would not be willing to move forward or approve any type of agreement without speaking directly to the communities that I represent or giving them an opportunity to speak publicly," Cooney told WXXI radio station.
The bill has since stalled in the Assembly, with other lawmakers representing Rochester raising concerns.
Councilor Bronson said: "This is something that should be discussed seriously, openly and transparently, and local people should have a say if the rumors that they may be looking at downtown Rochester or even areas around Rochester are true." ( Rochester Democrat) told POLITICO.
The New York State Assembly concluded its 2023 legislative session over the weekend. Hochul is expected to hold a special meeting later this month to approve the contract.
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Source: www.casino.org
