Turning Stone to close?

[shadroch]

Caught a quick peice on the news that the Onieda Nation has lost some court case and it appears that the Turning Stone Casino is about to be shut down. The story was more of a fluff human interest one about the 7500(?) employees about to lose their jobs in a fairly depressed area.
Anyone have any more info on this?

[iwantblackjack]

Originally Posted by shadroch

Caught a quick peice on the news that the Onieda Nation has lost some court case and it appears that the Turning Stone Casino is about to be shut down. The story was more of a fluff human interest one about the 7500(?) employees about to lose their jobs in a fairly depressed area. Anyone have any more info on this?

The only info we have is to wait. The US Department of Interior has decided to review the TS compact after a series of court decisions ruling it illegal, and the subsequent failure of the tribe and state to negotiate a new agreement. The agency was also responding to a 2005 US Supreme Court ruling that the tribe does not have sovereignty over the land where the casino is located. Plus, in 2004, a ruling was made that the 1993 compact invalid because the Legislature had not ratified it (it was never submitted to Leg) under Governor Cuomo. Similar ruling was with the St.Regis Mohawk casino; but, with them, it led to a new compact. The compact: for the state to get a % (similar with most other Indian Tribes). IMHO, if Interior decides to close and the National Indian Gaming Commission agrees, then more business for the the other NY Indian Tribes, or Niagara Falls, or Atlantic City or CT. BTW, there's ~4000 employees at TS Resort/Casino. ~4.6mill visitors a year.

[iwantblackjack]

The federal agency said today that it wont deny the gaming compact granted in 1993 to Turning Stone by Gov Cuomo, because "a compact cannot be revoked unless there is a challenge within 6 years after approval." So, Turning Stone Casino will remain open.