New York Grants Oneida Indians Exclusive Territory for Casino

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New York Grants Oneida Indians Exclusive Territory for Casino

ALBANY — The Oneida Indian Nation on Thursday signed a deal with the Cuomo administration and local governments that would guarantee them exclusive territory for their central New York casino in exchange for revenue payments to the state of around $50 million a year.

The broad deal not only helps Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo as he seeks to expand casino gambling, but also settles longstanding tax and land claim issues that have cast shadows over the Oneidas’ relationship with its upstate neighbors.

“This was one of the truly lingering, festering, negative situations in the state,” Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, said at a state Capitol signing ceremony. “To finally come to terms and work through all these years of emotion and years of disappointment was extraordinary.”

Under the deal, the Oneidas would be assured that no competing casino would be located across a broad swath of land in the middle of the state. The tribe also agreed to give to the state 25 percent of the Turning Stone casino’s net revenue from slot machines.

The Oneidas agreed to place no more than 25,000 acres of land into trust, effectively settling the tribe’s longstanding land claims. The Oneidas would also charge prices for cigarettes comparable with non-Indian merchants. Local governments would see income from a number of sources. For instance, the state would distribute a quarter of the revenue it receives from the tribe to Oneida County, where Turning Stone is located.

Neighboring Madison County would also receive a one-time payment of $11 million for past tax claims.

The counties agreed to drop continuing litigation against the Oneidas over the tribe’s application to put land into trust.

Mr. Cuomo drove hard for the deal as he works on his proposal to bring three Las Vegas-style casinos upstate at yet-to-be-identified locations. A public referendum to change the state’s constitution to allow non-Indian casinos could be on the ballot as early as November. The compromise announced on Thursday sidelines the Oneidas as a potential foe of expansion.

Mr. Cuomo said the deal would stand whether or not voters approved expanded gambling, though it still needs approval by state and county legislatures, the Department of the Interior and the state attorney general.

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