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New York Lawmaker Representing Rochester Says No Seneca Casino
- Casino.org
- Dec 6, 2023
- 2 min read
A state lawmaker in New York is of the impression that Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) believes Rochester wants a casino.
Hochul and the Seneca Nation made the surprising announcement in June that a new 20-year Class III gaming compact had been reached. But there was quick backlash regarding a provision allowing the tribe to open a fourth casino resort in the Rochester area. Compacts are required for federally recognized tribes to operate slot machines, table games, and other Class III games on their sovereign lands.
The Rochester casino component led to the New York State Legislature refusing to approve the new terms. New York tribal gaming compacts suggested by the governor require the legislative backing of the state Assembly and Senate.
The tribe owns and operates Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca, and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo. The tribe is seeking a new compact in hopes of lowering the 25% tax the state imposes on its gross slot revenue.
No Rochester Casino
Among the local officials in Rochester who scolded the Hochul administration for agreeing to allow a casino in their town was state Assemblyman Harry Bronson (D-Monroe). The longtime state lawmaker said in July that he wasn’t privy to the compact negotiations and wasn’t tipped that a casino in Rochester was being considered and subsequently included.
Bronson said the Rochester community “has been loud in opposition” to a casino in Monroe County. He stressed that if the Senecas want to come to Rochester, they need to first meet with local officials and residents.
“We want to make sure that our communities have an opportunity for input,” Bronson said in June.
Asked this week by NBC News 10 about the city possibly still being a focus of the ongoing compact talks, Bronson said the status is unclear. But he stressed that he isn’t alone in Albany in encouraging Hochul and the Senecas to stay away.