New York threatening Seneca Nation of Indians over revenue-sharing hold-up

The eastern American state of New York has reportedly told the casino-operating Seneca Nation of Indians that it could soon face ‘enforcement and collection efforts’ tied to the pair’s long-running dispute over revenue-sharing payments.

According to a report from the Salamanca Press newspaper, state officials are unhappy that the federally-recognized tribe is continuing to delay handing over any cash while their recently-inked gaming compact is being reviewed by the National Indian Gaming Commission. This evaluation was purportedly initiated last month by the aboriginal band’s governing Seneca Nation Council owing to concerns that the new deal signed after over four years of upheaval may violate the tenets of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Hubbub history:

The Seneca Nation of Indians is reportedly responsible via its Seneca Gaming Corporation enterprise for upstate New York’s Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino and Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino properties. Its dispute with the state purportedly began in March of 2017 after it ceased surrendering 25% of its slot revenues in revenue-sharing payments owing to a belief that its original 2002 compact had been violated by the opening of the nearby Del Lago Resort and Casino, which is a commercial property run by Peninsula Pacific LLC.

Recent reconciliation:

However, this lengthy feud was reportedly put on a path towards reproachment in January when the Seneca Nation of Indians signed a revised gaming compact that was moreover due to see it immediately hand over some $539.7 million in overdue revenue-sharing payments. The state has now purportedly written to the tribe to pronounce that it intends to ‘immediately undertake enforcement and collection efforts’ should this escrowed cash not be surrendered by Wednesday afternoon.

Patience plea:

In response to New York’s threat and the President for the Seneca Nation of Indians, Matthew Pagels (pictured), reportedly urged the state to wait until the National Indian Gaming Commission, which is an agency of the United States Department of the Interior, has finished its investigation before demanding any cash. The leader purportedly went on to declare that he has ‘continued to press’ the federal body for an update and remains hopeful that the ‘official report’ will be published ‘soon.’

Pagels reportedly stated…

“Rather than threatening aggressive action, the state should permit the federal agency responsible for overseeing Indian gaming issues the time it needs to complete its work. Now is not the time for the state to revert to bullying and greed.”

Litigious likelihood:

Pagels reportedly furthermore pronounced that his administration has urged the National Indian Gaming Commission ‘to conduct an expeditious review and issue a final determination to bring this matter to a close’ but it is now preparing for the possibility that New York could seek to use a court order to take the disputed funds.

The statement from Pagels reportedly read…

“We thought that chapter had hopefully ended and that a new day had dawned in Albany. We hope we are not wrong. We have seen what happens when New York acts like a government intent on eroding, ignoring and obliterating relationships with native nations and native people.”