The state of New York just cannot seem to get it together when it comes to the future of casino gambling. First it was ten years of botched deals to bring a casino to Aqueduct, and now a casino plan for the Catskills has been scrapped by the federal government.
In his final days in office, Governor David Patterson negotiated a deal with an Indian
The Interior Department, however, has decided that the negotiated deal may not be compliant with federal law. The compact was signed between New York and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohicans. The tribe thought the agreements were complete, and now they will resume their fight for the 23,000 acres of land.
New York has troubled relations with several Indian tribes. The state has squared off with the Seneca Nation of Indians, St. Regis Mohawks, and now the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe. The relations may not become better in the near future, with Governor Andrew Cuomo going after the Indian tribes for tax on cigarettes sold on their reservations.
Indian tribes have long been protected by federal law when it comes to paying taxes on cigarette sales. Governor Cuomo, however, contends that the tribe should pay taxes on any cigarette sales that are sold to non-Indians. If that plan comes to fruition, New York would stand to gain an estimated $200 million a year from the tax revenue.
New York must move quickly if they are going to keep up with other Northeastern states when it comes to gaming expansion. Maryland, Pennsylvania, Maine, Delaware, and Connecticut have all expanded their casino industries in the past year. New Jersey is close to regulating online gambling, and Massachusetts lawmakers are considering legalizing casinos.
February 19, 2011
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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