Up until the past decade, US citizens had to do most of their casino gambling at tribal casinos. The Shinnecock Indian tribe, however, had been denied federal recognition for the better part of the past three decades, making it impossible for them to build a casino.
On Friday, the tribe finally received the news they have long been waiting for. An
"This is a big day not only for the Shinnecock Indian tribe, but for all gambling enthusiasts in New York," said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz. "While the tribe gets the recognition they have long sought, it is the gambling community that can rejoice in the idea that another casino options will soon be coming to New York."
In June, the Shinnecock's received the first round of good news when the Interior Department approved their application. Two groups, however, filed papers to have the ruling overturned. On Friday, the appeal panel ruled that neither group had the authority to challenge the original ruling.
In order to operate a casino, a tribe must be federally recognized. The law has held up the Shinnecock's casino aspirations for the past three decades. After years of legal battles, the tribe was expectantly ecstatic over the ruling on Friday. The tribe will now turn their attention towards finding a site for their casino.
In New York, the Shinnecock casino will become the latest in a series of casino expansions. The Genting Corp., based in Malaysia, may have landed the biggest fish, agreeing on a contract to operate a casino at Aqueduct. The race track has been struggling financially for years, and the casino is expected to help not only the track, but also the state budget.
The victory for the Shinnecock tribe on Friday is a big hurdle that has been cleared, but the state of New York must still must sign off on the final destination of a new casino. Among the areas being examined are Brookhaven Airport Calabro Airport in Shirley, and the site of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
October 2, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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