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Deal Struck to Bring Casinos to Western New York

"The agreement, the first to allow slot machines in New York, still needs state and federal approval, and critics, including gambling foes and nervous competitors, are eyeing ways to stop or at least slow the opening of the planned casinos.

"Pataki and Seneca leaders, after years of private talks, agreed to locate casinos in downtown Buffalo, located across the river from Ontario's Fort Erie Race Track, and Niagara Falls, located near the successful Canadian Casino Niagara facility. A third casino would be permitted somewhere on one of the Seneca's two reservations located south of Buffalo.

"…Though the casinos would pose a competitive threat to the region's Thoroughbred and Standardbred racetracks, racing insiders were beaming, because the casino deal with the Indians would make their task of selling a racetrack video lottery terminal proposal much easier.

"The racing industry, in a show of unusual camaraderie, has formally released a study that shows thousands of VLTs scattered around the state's tracks, with the exception of the New York Racing Association's Saratoga, would generate $2.7 billion in revenue.

"The Seneca casino deal includes some exclusivity arrangements designed to protect new casinos from competition.

"…In return for slot machines and their exclusive arrangements, the Senecas will give up a portion of revenues to the state…"

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