Seneca Nation's Leader Expresses Discontent Over State Gaming Agreement Talks
Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Jr. openly expressed his discontent with the negotiations for a new gaming agreement with New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) on Friday.
To honor the historic 1842 Buffalo Treaty, which allowed the Seneca tribe to regain possession of their alleged land in Western New York's Allegany and Cattaraugus regions, celebrations were held. This treaty helped secure the Senecas' presence in the state after attempts were made by opposition groups to take away their land and relocate them to modern-day Kansas.
Throughout American history, treaties broken, promises unfulfilled, manipulation, and deception were common trends towards Native Americans. Armstrong voiced these provocative words during the event. "There's a long history of mistreatment, including broken treaties, promises left unfulfilled, manipulation, deception, and efforts to expel us from our lands — not only physically but socially as well," he said.
The tribe is currently struggling through another challenging chapter in their ongoing battle for economy sovereignty, according to the tribal leader, as progress on negotiations with the Governor's office remains sluggish.
The Seneca Nation owns and operates three upstate New York casinos, including the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino.
Seneca President: 'A Little Disappointed'
The tribal leader mentioned that the Class III gaming compact with New York, which allows the tribe to operate Las Vegas-style slot machines, live dealer table games, and sports betting at their upstate casinos, expired in 2022. Hochul and the tribe have renewed the revenue-sharing agreement which grants the state 25% of the tribal casino's slot machine revenue.
The Seneca Nation is looking to reduce the slot allocation and potentially receive permission to build a fourth casino resort. The tribe preserves the monopoly on slots and live dealer table games in Western New York west of State Route 14.
Armstrong disclosed to NBC2, "I'm a little disappointed with how things have progressed." He had anticipated that they would be better advanced than they are now.
Next month would mark a year since Hochul's office and the Seneca Nation made the unexpected declaration of reaching a new 20-year compact. However, the inclusion of a condition permitting the tribe to pursue a casino resort development in Rochester generated significant pushback from local and state authorities, effectively causing the deal to stall during legislative approval in the State Assembly.
Hochul didn't partake in negotiating this deal, as her husband at the time, Bill Hochul, was inexplicably still employed by a competing business, Delaware North. He has since resigned from his position as executive vice president and general counsel of the firm that manages the Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack property located in Farmington. This establishment has video lottery terminals similar to slots.
Why Botch the Process?
Some argue that the Governor may be deliberately prolonging the process as the new compensation agreement will likely entail a lower slot share. "It’s to the Governor's advantage to leave negotiations slow because it’ll probably result in less revenue," Stated State Senator George Borrello (R-Allegany), Representative of a significant area in the Seneca's territory and an advocate for a decreased slot share.
Borrello indicated the state's evolving gaming landscape, with the inclusion of online sports betting beginning in January 2022, and the projected issuance of downstate casino licensing in 2023, further emphasizing the need for a proper agreement. "The Seneca Nation employs thousands of people in Western New York and has an immense economic impact," He added back in March. "They deserve a fair compact that aligns with the recent transformations in gaming."
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Source: www.casino.org
