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New York Tribes Wondering Who Gets Sixth Casino

"As Gov. George Pataki signed the bill Oct. 31 authorizing compacts for six new Indian casinos, five were pretty much accounted for. A previously negotiated deal with the Seneca Indian Nation would allow three in economically depressed western New York. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is pushing well-publicized plans for another in the Catskills region in Sullivan County. Frequent reports have the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans scouting a second Sullivan County casino.

"But the casino bill authorizes a sixth in Ulster County with no clear tribal sponsor. Rumors of pending deals are causing tensions within the Iroquois Confederacy.

"U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., started one round with a statement that the Oneida Indian Nation, owner of the Turning Stone Casino Resort, was talking to Gov. Pataki about the Ulster County site.

"…Another contender may be the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, the populous off-shoot of the Oneidas, which moved west in the early 19th century. But the tribal government is in some turmoil over management of its own gaming hall in Green Bay. The Business Committee and the Gaming Commission have split openly over a shake-up of casino management.

"A dark horse, and unlikely candidate, is the Western Mohegan Tribe, a non-recognized tribe that purchased the Tamarack Lodge, a former Ulster County resort, last year.

"…The Cayuga Indian Nation, a Six Nations member that is federally recognized, is denying reports it too wants a Catskills casino. Speculation has persisted since last summer that the state offered a gaming compact to the Cayugas as part of a land claims settlement. The state proposal specifically mentioned the Monticello Raceway site now reportedly under consideration by the Stockbridge-Munsee Band…"

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