The fate of the new tribal-state gaming compact between New York and the Seneca Nation is being questioned by lawmakers and current casino stakeholders because of the secrecy surrounding its details.
The new 20-year compact, on which the administration of Governor Kathy Hochul and the tribe had reportedly agreed upon in principle, is clouded in questions because its details have not been publicly reported. In fact, details are being withheld under a non-disclosure agreement signed by the parties.
One revelation that came out of the compact negotiations was the possibility of a new Seneca casino in Rochester, New York. After the state Senate had passed the bill authorizing Hochul’s administration to finalize the compact by a 62-1 vote, word of the possible Rochester casino leaked out.
This revelation may compel state Assembly members to try to push Hochul into re-starting negotiations.
Rochester Assemblyman Harry Bronson told Politico that he was “extremely concerned” about the possibility of a new tribal casino.
“This is something that should be seriously discussed in an open and transparent way, and if the rumor is correct and they are considering potentially downtown Rochester or even in the surrounding area of Rochester, local folks should have a say in this,” Bronson said. When he asked the governor’s office about it, he was informed of the non-disclosure agreement.
“Certainly I would want local officials to be part of that discussion as well as our families that live in the city and surrounding area,” Bronson told the Democrat and Chronicle.
The compact is still pending legislative approval, after an initial unsuccessful vote in the Assembly to give Hochul the authority to finalize the compact.
Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Sr. says the tribe is satisfied with the deal as agreed. “We have come to a fair deal with the state, and it is incumbent of them to hold up their side of the bargain,” Armstrong said in a statement. “The State Senate has already passed the bill providing the governor authority to complete the deal, and we strongly encourage the Assembly to do the same.”
The Buffalo News confirmed several of the major aspects of the agreement struck between the Hochul administration and Seneca Nation. According to unnamed sources cited by the newspaper, the compact does, in fact, authorize a Seneca-owned casino to be built in the Rochester market.
During the first year of the pact, the Nation would pay 9.75 percent of revenue on slot machines and other gaming devices to New York, a person with knowledge of the matter told the Buffalo News. During the 19 subsequent years, the Nation would pay 19.5 percent, according to the source.
The deal also includes terms related to the prospect of New York legalizing online casino games, or iGaming, according to the report.
Hochul and Armstrong have both dodged questions regarding the Rochester casino.
Local New York officials also are complaining about the secrecy of the deal. Rochester Mayor Malik Evans told NBC 10 New York that any talks of a Rochester casino should have included local officials.
“We have heard lots of chatter about the possibility of a casino license being granted in the Rochester area,” Evans said. “It should be noted that neither city leadership nor members of our New York state delegation has been involved in any conversations related to this possibility.
“Any conversation of this magnitude that does not include local stakeholders is unacceptable. There are already numerous casinos in the Rochester area. My focus remains on meaningful opportunities that create a vibrant Rochester economy focused on the jobs of the 21st century.”
The tribe’s current compact expires in December.
