Seneca Nation officials expressed their disappointment that the New York State Assembly failed to reach an agreement on the tribe's new gaming compact by the end of the recent legislative session on June 21st.

During the session, the Assembly did not address the proposed compact that had been previously approved by the Senate in June. This implies that a special legislative session will be necessary before the year ends to ultimately pass a new 20-year compact agreement.

Rickey Armstrong Sr., the President of the Seneca Nation, stated that the tribe collaborated with the state's negotiating team to agree on the terms of the new compact while the Assembly's legislative session was ongoing. The tribe was willing to make significant concessions from their previous agreement in principle, hoping that the Assembly would consider the legislation.

Regrettably, Mr. Armstrong Sr. confirmed that the two parties were unable to reach an agreement that addressed the concerns of the New York Assembly and Governor Kathy Hochul's office, while meeting the needs of the Seneca Nation.

Special Session Will Be Needed for the NY Lawmakers to Greenlight Seneca Nation’s Gambling Compact

The proposed gambling compact of the Seneca Nation faced opposition in the Assembly, with Del Lago Resort and Casino, located near the Senecas' exclusivity zone, being one of the major opponents. Rochester officials also opposed the establishment of a proposed Seneca Nation casino in their city, and unions at the Finger Lakes Raceway and Casino in Farmington were against the compact.

The President of the Seneca Nation acknowledged the opposition but explained that the New York Assembly's leadership had indicated its willingness to vote on an agreement once the state and the tribe finalized the new compact's fair terms. Mr. Armstrong Sr. emphasized that reaching an agreement was a priority for the tribe and its economies in the Seneca Nation and Western New York. He stated that continuing under the terms of the outdated gaming compact beyond its expiration date (December 9th, 2023) was not an acceptable or reasonable solution for any party involved.

Since the current compact was signed in 2002, the Seneca Nation has invested nearly $2 billion in its three full-scale casinos in the state: Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino in Niagara Falls (operational since 2002), Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino in Salamanca (operational since 2004), and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo (opened in 2007).

Earlier in June, it was announced that a new agreement with the state was reached, but specific details regarding the contract's terms were not disclosed at that time.