Seneca Nation and New York State reach agreement in principle for new 20-year casino gaming compact

Following several months of negotiations, the Seneca Nation reached an agreement in principle with New York State for a new 20-year casino gaming compact on Wednesday, although parties have yet to release any major details about the deal. The current compact, signed in 2002, is set to expire on December 9 of this year. 

During a press conference, Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong, Sr. said the specific terms will be finalized in the next few days. He said the negotiating parties hope to move "as quickly as possible."

"Negotiating a fair compact was critical to the future of the Seneca Nation and the future of Western New York. Throughout months of negotiation, our focus remained on arriving at a fair deal that secured the future of our gaming operations, the vital funding our operations provide for critical services for our people, and the significant jobs and economic benefits they generate in Western New York. We made it clear that we would not settle for anything less," Armstrong said, as reported by Spectrum News.

"Now that we have reached a point of agreement with the state’s negotiators on a framework that we believe is fair, we hope to move as quickly as possible toward finalizing the terms and securing all necessary approvals to enact what we believe will be another historic agreement that builds upon what we have accomplished over the past two decades," he added.

President Rickey Armstrong, Sr.

The Nation signed its current compact agreement with New York State in August 2002. Since then, the Seneca Nation has invested nearly $2 billion to build, develop and operate its three casinos in Western New York – Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls (opened 2002), Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca (opened 2004), and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in downtown Buffalo (opened 2007).

Between its casino facilities, other business enterprises, and its government operations, the Nation is responsible for more than 5,000 direct jobs, more than $300 million in annual wages, and nearly $600 million in annual spending with vendors and suppliers, notes Indian Gaming. The Nation has an annual economic impact of more than $1.1 billion on the Western New York economy.

BREAKING: The Seneca Nation has reached an agreement on principle with New York State negotiators on a new Compact.

Read President Armstrong, Sr.'s statement and the full press release here:https://t.co/LN6n1TVkak pic.twitter.com/6ho4V0SH9i

— The Seneca Nation (@TheSenecaNation) June 7, 2023

The Legislature must authorize the governor's office to sign off on the deal before they leave this week or would have to come back. Gov. Kathy Hochul recused herself from negotiations because her husband works for Seneca gaming competitor Delaware North, but is ultimately required to approve it.

In a short statement, a spokesperson for her office said they are pleased they have reached an agreement in principle that serves the interest of both parties and benefits Western New York communities. The Seneca Nation citizens must also approve the deal by a referendum vote, and Armstrong says the next several weeks will be used to educate them about the specifics. The final step is review and approval from the federal department of interior.

"We have come a long way, as a Nation and as a region, over the last 20 years, and we have made significant progress in our negotiations over the last several weeks," said President Armstrong, according to the above-mentioned media. "We are committing ourselves to getting this new compact in place so that we can continue to transform life for the Seneca people and the economy in Western New York for generations to come."