Seneca-NY Compact Talks Still Paused After Election
The compact between the Seneca Nation and the state of New York expired last December , but the two sides have been unable to make meaningful progress on a new agreement since then. The Senecas elected a new president, J.C. Seneca, in November , and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s new counsel, Brian Mahanna, started in September. Now, as the state prepares for a new legislative session, stakeholders hope that an agreement can be reached.
In a Buffalo News report from Dec. 9, the tribe said that negotiations were “paused,” and that it was “mutually agreed” to. But Hochul’s office said that talks stopped “at the Seneca Nation’s request,” adding that the state now “looks forward to continuing to work toward an agreement with the Seneca Nation of Indians that is fair, serves the interests of all parties, and addresses the needs of key stakeholders.”
Since his election as president, Seneca has said that coming to an agreement is paramount for the tribe, which operates casinos in Buffalo, Salamanca and Niagara Falls. The two sides were said to be close to a deal last year before it was discovered that the new compact included a casino in Rochester, which caused the deal to fall apart. Hochul’s Republican detractors have been very critical of the way her administration has handled negotiations.
“The Seneca Nation has been negotiating in good faith from the beginning,” Sen. George Borrello told the Buffalo News. “The same cannot be said for the Hochul administration. They have pulled the rug out from under these negotiations several times. I have been hoping that with the end of the year approaching, there might be greater interest from the state in finalizing this deal. Whether that happens remains to be seen.”
California Card Rooms Flex Political Might
California’s card rooms were behind the defeat of three state politicians who supported a bill that allows tribes to sue the card rooms. Cal Matters Dec. 10 reported that the card rooms spent $3 million to defeat Cupertino assemblyman Evan Low and Fullerton assemblyman Josh Newman, both of whom lost re-election bids. The card rooms also targeted assemblyman Brian Maienschein, who had termed out but was running for San Diego city attorney. He lost that race.
“We really don’t want to be the sort of, you know, the Rodney Dangerfield of industries. We want to be respected,” Keith Sharp, a lawyer for Hawaiian Gardens Casino, told Cal Matters. “We (will) work hard to continue to gain respect and protect our employees, protect our cities, protect our businesses.”
All three, as well as Laurie Davies, who won her race, voted for SB 549 in September. That bill allows the tribes to sue the card rooms over the legality of its use of third-party providers of proposition player services (TPPPS). The tribes contend that the system violates their right to exclusivity for casino gaming. Card rooms can offer player-banked games, but the tribes say that the system all but makes the games house-banked. Because of its sovereignty, Indian Country has not been allowed to sue, but the law allows a one-time lawsuit that must be filed by April 1, 2025.
FanDuel Expands Government Relations Department
FanDuel Dec. 11 added two new executives to its government relations team, which now encompasses working with state legislatures and tribal governments. Per iGB, the company added James Hartmann and Louis Trombetta. The pair bring diverse backgrounds to the ever-burgeoning department, which now not only monitors and works with state legislatures, but also in Indian Country.
Hartmann brings a legal background. He was a prosecutor in Chicago and New York City before shifting into politics. In Illinois, he was the lead House gaming attorney. Hartmann was heavily involved in crafting the legislation that led to the legalization of sports betting in Illinois in 2019.
Trombetta was the first executive director of the Florida Gaming Commission. He oversaw the build-out of the commission and the regulatory process and set state legislative priorities.
Since tribes in California in 2022 killed a commercial sports betting proposal, FanDuel has been growing its government relations team to include some who specialize in Indian Country.
Planning for ICE: Tribal Partnerships Seminar
The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) Dec. 11 revealed the agenda for its “Tribal Partnerships Seminar,” a full afternoon of educational gatherings set for Jan. 21 at ICE in Barcelona. According to an IGA press release, the seminar will explore the “unique contributions of Native American tribes to the global gaming industry,” as well as new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
The event will be held at the Fira Barcelona Gran from 1:30-4:30 p.m. local time.
Here’s a look at the agenda:
Tribal Partnerships in U.S. Interactive Wagering: Unlocking New Potential
A deep exploration of how tribal entities and global operators can create sustainable partnerships in the interactive wagering space, featuring IGA Conference Chair Victor Rocha as the moderator and IGA Chairman Ernest Stevens.
Opportunities and Challenges in U.S. Sports Betting: Is There Still Room to Play?
Analyzing the current state of the U.S. sports betting market and its potential for growth and innovation, featuring National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Chair Derrick Watchman, Chaudhuri Law Principal Jonodev Chaudhuri and IGA Deputy Executive Director Danielle Her Many Horses.
Case Study: From Bingo Halls to Gaming Powerhouse – The San Manuel Legacy
A remarkable story of strategic growth, community investment, and cultural preservation that has positioned the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians as a global gaming leader, featuring San Manuel Treasurer Leticia Prieto.
The State of Gambling in California: Current Trends and Future Prospects
Exploring the opportunities, challenges, and future of the state’s tribal gaming industry amidst legal and regulatory departments, featuring IGA Executive Director Jason Giles as the moderator and California Nations Indian Gaming Association Chair James Siva.
Michael Broderick Named GM of Red Earth Casino
California’s Torres Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians announced Dec. 10 that Michael Broderick has been named as the new general manager of the tribe’s Red Earth Casino in Thermal. Broderick joins the casino with more than 30 years of casino and hospitality experience with tribal properties across the U.S., including stints at Quechan Casino Resort, Northern Waters Casino Resort, Cahuilla Casino and Hotel and more.
Matthew Krystall, president of Torres Martinez Gaming Corporation board of directors, said in a statement: “Michael’s extensive expertise, strategic vision, and deep understanding of the gaming and hospitality landscape make him an exceptional choice to lead Red Earth Casino. We look forward to seeing his dynamic approach drive our mission of excellence and growth.”
