SEARCH NEWS:

 

New York Tribes Told to Resolve Casino Issue

NEW YORK -- As reported by the Syracuse Post-Standard: "The federal commission that oversees Indian gaming has warned New York tribes to resolve a dispute with the state or face "enforcement action" on their casinos, according to a U.S. attorney.

"The only tribe the warning would affect is the Oneida Indian Nation, which runs Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona. Turning Stone is the only Indian nation in New York whose casino agreement, called a compact, with the state is still in limbo.

"...According to an Oct. 15 letter from U.S. Attorney Glenn Suddaby, commission Chairman Philip Hogen 'has issued warnings to the respective New York tribes that the gaming compact issue must be resolved with New York state or their casinos are subject to enforcement action.'

"...Oneida nation spokesman Mark Emery said he was not aware of any warnings issued to the nation by the gaming commission.

"...Tribes are allowed under federal law to have bingo and similar games without having an agreement with the state. However, tribes do need the agreements to run card games and gaming machines.

"Turning Stone's agreement with the state was ruled invalid June 28 by state supreme court Justice James McCarthy. He had ruled that former Gov. Mario Cuomo 'clearly violated the doctrine of the separation of powers' when he signed the agreement in 1993 with the Oneida nation.

"A similar suit involving the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino reached the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals. That court declared last year that the Mohawk agreement was illegal because it had not been ratified by the state Legislature. Legislators ratified that agreement this summer, but have not voted on the Oneida agreement..."

< Gaming News