Compact negotiations between the Seneca Nation of Indians and the state of New York are advancing, according to Seneca Nation president Rickey Armstrong Sr.
The Seneca leader told the Niagara Gazette, “We’ve made every effort to make progress. We want to continue to work toward a new gaming compact that reflects the gaming landscape in Buffalo, Niagara Falls.”
The existing compact will expire at the end of this year. It gives the Senecas exclusive rights to Class II gaming in the western part of New York state. The tribe operates three casinos: Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino and Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino.
Armstrong says that the casinos have been a plus for the state, especially for the economies of Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca. Each casino also pays 25 percent of its revenue to the host city. He told the Gazette: “I’m hopeful that the state recognizes the impact we’ve had on Western New York.”
The office of Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement that the New York State Gaming Commission is engaged in “substantive negotiations” with the Senecas.
The spokesman added, “We are fully committed to continuing to meet, discuss, and negotiate a compact, and we are confident that the process will continue in a way that best serves New Yorkers.”
The state of New York and the Senecas have had a storied past together that included the tribe withholding revenue sharing payments. Later a federal court ruled that it owed $435 million.
The state froze the tribe’s bank accounts, which then-president Matthew Pagels compared to “hostage” taking.
