Seneca Nation, state nonetheless feuding on new gaming compact

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Seneca Nation and New York State proceed to feud over a brand new gaming compact, after the newest short-term contract extension lower than two years in the past.

Seneca Nation president J.C. Seneca stated that the Nation approached Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state in July to start negotiations for a brand new compact involving the three casinos in Western New York: Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in downtown Buffalo, Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls and Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca.

Under the present compact, the Seneca Nation pays a 25% of revenues on slot machines and different gaming gadgets to the state in change for gaming licenses and the unique rights to supply the gaming gadgets west of State Route 14.

Seneca stated that negotiations stalled after preliminary discussions in July, and the 2 sides haven’t had formal negotiations.

“The Seneca Nation has done everything in its power to try to get the governor to the table to be a part of the dialogue,” Seneca stated following conferences on Wednesday. “This has got to change. We cannot afford to draw this on anymore, drag this on, it’s been three-plus years of this process of negotiating this compact.”

The authentic compact that entitled the state to 25% was signed greater than 20 years in the past in 2002. Seneca has stated beforehand that he doesn’t imagine the state needs to be getting any cash from the gaming compact.

“We presented our compact we had put together to the governor’s office and it was basically trashed. It was a slap in our face,” Seneca stated. “I’m not going to stand for it, and I’m pissed off right now about it. I’m not going to stand for it, our people are not going to stand for it, and the council will not stand for the mistreatment by the executive chamber. We got to change it, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

“As a native Western New Yorker, Governor Hochul is committed to strengthening the government-to-government relationship between the Seneca Nation and the State of New York, which is why she invited President Seneca and other nation leaders to Albany for a wide ranging conversation earlier this year,” a spokesperson for the governor stated in an announcement Wednesday. “The Governor is committed to doing what is best on behalf of the State and all of Western New York, and our Administration continues to act in good faith toward the Seneca Nation of Indians as we work toward an agreement on the gaming compact that is fair and serves the interests of all parties.”

According to an financial impression examine launched by the Seneca Nation on Wednesday, the Nation is answerable for practically $2 billion of financial impression, together with greater than 8,000 jobs they help in Western New York. That works out to greater than $540 million in wages, in keeping with the examine.

The Seneca Nation operates greater than 30 companies throughout Western New York, together with the casinos in addition to motels, spas, eating places, gasoline stations, hashish outlets and different leisure venues and convention facilities. The Nation additionally just lately purchased the National Lacrosse League’s Rochester Knighthawks, a rival of the Buffalo Bandits.

“I’m upset about the situation,” Seneca stated of the state negotiations. “The slow-moving process, the almost stagnant process in regards to any kind of relationship or discussions to get resolved to this compact situation.”