In a recent update, Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Sr. has shed light on the ongoing negotiations between the Seneca people and the state of New York regarding a new gaming compact. However, these negotiations have faced challenges, and progress has been less than satisfactory. Armstrong voiced his criticism of the state’s recent proposals, deeming them “absurd and an insult to the Seneca Nation.”
Despite the obstacles, Armstrong emphasized the dedication of Seneca leaders to achieving a fair and just agreement, as reported by Olean Times Herald. The negotiations revolve around a new 20-year casino gaming compact, with the existing agreement, signed in 2002, set to expire on December 9 of this year.
Armstrong highlighted that while state negotiators accepted a vital provision for a new agreement, the state Assembly’s refusal to advance necessary legislation to facilitate the governor’s agreement signing posed a challenge. This legislation depended on approval by the Seneca People and the Department of the Interior.
Efforts to address concerns were met with complications.
Assembly members were surprised by a compact provision involving the potential establishment of a new Seneca casino in Rochester. Moreover, unions representing Del Lago Resort and Casino employees near the Seneca gaming exclusivity area expressed opposition.
Armstrong revealed that both Seneca and state negotiators have agreed to resume compact negotiations during the summer. Throughout recent weeks, Seneca officials engaged in roundtable discussions with community leaders from Salamanca, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo. The purpose was to seek their endorsement for a fair and equitable agreement, a request that reportedly received support.
However, the resolution of this complex situation remains uncertain, as the New York State Assembly concluded its 2023 session without resolving the Seneca Nation gaming compact renewal. The authorization for the new compact, approved by the state Senate earlier in the same month, remains pending.
During a recent meeting, Armstrong indicated that discussions between Seneca and state negotiators would resume from where they paused in June.
While alignment exists on most compact aspects, the unresolved issue pertains to the value of fair exclusivity.
Armstrong emphasized the necessity for the exclusivity value to be reasonably reflected in a payment agreement. Over a decade ago, the Senecas suspended casino payments to the state due to the exclusivity issue, which led to disputes and subsequent settlements between the Nation and the state.
In a video posted on YouTube, Facebook, and other social media platforms, Armstrong underscored the need for fairness. He emphasized that given the significant changes in New York’s gaming landscape, expecting payments exceeding the actual value received would be unreasonable, unfair to the Seneca people, and in conflict with the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act’s intent.
Armstrong didn’t specify when negotiations would resume but noted that there are 122 days left before the current compact expires at the end of the year. He reassured the Seneca people that leaders are committed to pursuing negotiations and safeguarding Seneca rights until a reasonable agreement is reached.
Seneca Gaming, operating three casinos and two hotels, provides employment to more than 3,500 individuals. As negotiations continue, the intricate web of interests and concerns surrounding tribal gaming compacts remains a complex puzzle that demands careful deliberation and resolution.
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