Putting an end to a long-standing battle, the Seneca Indian tribe reached an agreement with the state of New York this week, with the tribe agreeing to share gambling revenue that was being withheld in protest of the installation of video lottery machines in commercial, non-tribal racetracks in the western region of the state.
Since 2009 the tribe has refused to share their revenue, alleging that the racetracks were violating a contract that was meant to ensure tribal control of casinos in that area of New York.
As part of the agreement, three communities are now poised to receive millions of dollars of gambling revenue. Among them is popular tourist destination Niagara Falls, which will surely welcome the $89 million it is due to receive, considering the city is on course to run out of money this year. Also benefitting from the end of the standoff will be the towns of Salamanca and Buffalo, which will get $34.5 million and $15.5 million, respectively.
Since they stopped making payments to the state four years ago, the Seneca have accumulated a debt of $630 million. They will pay $408 million in back payments, and will also begin making regular remittances to the state at once.
