The Oneida Indian Nation requested the New York Gaming Commission to reconsider the casino establishment in Finger Lakes region. Tribal representatives requested the Commission to reject the casino proposal for Lago Resort & Casino because they fear the launch of a state casino would have a devastating effect on their business.
The law firm that represents the Oneida Nation submitted a letter to the Gaming Commission and demanded from its members to review their final stance concerning the license that is to be granted to Lago Resort & Casino.
The Oneidas manage the popular Turning Stone Casino and the site where the future casino will be located is 65 miles away from their property.
It was said in the letter, submitted to the Gaming Commission, that the investor in charge of the Lago Casino construction has failed to meet the requirements necessary for receiving authorities’ approval.
Representatives of Lago could not be imminently reached for a comment.
Oneida executives are convinced that the completion of the Lago project will pose a risk to the “economic health of Turning Stone”. As already mentioned, the Lago resort is to be established in a close proximity to Syracuse and has all chances of luring Turning Stone casino players.
Back in December 2014, the Gaming Commission members did not give their consent to the establishment of a casino in Orange County. What made them settle down around that decision was the fact that another casino property would affect the business of the existing racinos in a negative manner. In addition, there was a chance the local gambling market to get oversaturated and influence the business of the casino proposed for the Sullivan County area.
However, the Oneida leaders claim that the Gaming Commission did not apply the aforementioned criteria when selecting a casino for the Finger Lakes area.
According to people familiar with the matter, the tribal casino is not the only one to experience the negative consequences of the Lago casino construction. The Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack also complained that their revenues will be hurt.
New York gambling officials were expected to approve four casinos but three months ago, they gave the green light to the establishment of three properties. One of these was to be built in the Southern Tier region but the gaming officials opted for the Lago casino project instead.
As soon as the backed proposals were announced, New York officials and Governor Cuomo in particular, asked the bidding process to be renewed and a fourth casino project to be approved.
