After years of negotiations and legal battles, the finalization of the Seneca Gaming Compact is still months away. The compact, which governs the gaming operations of the Seneca Nation of Indians in western New York, has been a point of contention between the tribe and the state for quite some time.
The Seneca Nation operates three casinos in the region – Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca, and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo. The tribe ceased making revenue-sharing payments to the state in 2017, arguing that the compact had expired after 14 years and was not renewed.
In response, the state took legal action against the tribe, attempting to force them to resume payments. However, a federal arbitration panel ruled in favor of the Seneca Nation, stating that the compact did indeed expire in 2016 and that the state was not entitled to any further payments.
Since then, negotiations have been ongoing to reach a new agreement between the two parties. The process has been complex and contentious, with disagreements over issues such as revenue sharing, exclusivity zones, and the addition of sports betting to the compact.
Despite progress being made in the negotiations, a final agreement is still months away. Both sides are working diligently to come to terms on a new compact that will govern the gaming operations of the Seneca Nation for years to come.
In the meantime, the casinos continue to operate as usual, providing entertainment and economic benefits to the region. The uncertainty surrounding the compact, however, has left both the tribe and the state in a state of limbo.
While both parties are hopeful that a new compact will be finalized soon, the process is complex and there are still many details to iron out. For now, the Seneca Gaming Compact finalization remains a work in progress, with the outcome still uncertain.