New York's Native American Casinos: A Cultural and Gaming Journey

Once upon a time, tribal casinos and tribal gaming weren't as prevalent as they are nowadays, especially for New Yorkers. However, tribal gaming came to New York State after the passage of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, also known as IGRA. The first gaming compact between New York and a Native American tribe occurred in 1993. After that, New York opened several Class II and Class III casinos. For millennials, it is shocking that this didn't occur earlier, while older generations of New Yorkers likely remember what it used to be like. We all know Native Americans have economically suffered, along with getting a bad deal in the first place by being pushed onto reservations with poor economies, and oftentimes many economic issues caused by their circumstances.

The Rise of Tribal Gaming

In a way, casinos have been a bright spot for their communities. Native American tribes are considered sovereign nations under federal law, so states do not have to enforce their civil codes on reservations within the borders of a state. This made them the perfect candidates for the gambling industry, an industry that continues to face a lot of discrimination and restriction in the US.

Legal Milestones and the Seneca Agreement

Back in November 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of the government to negotiate gaming compacts with Native American tribes. This ruling effectively removed any pending questions regarding the legitimacy of Native American casinos in New York State. By June 2013, Governor Cuomo announced an agreement had been made between the State of New York and the Seneca Nation of Indians after over six years of debates between the tribe and local citizens. Ultimately, the Seneca Nation won the right to use their land as they wanted, and rightfully so. For example, the Seneca Niagara Casino is one of the prominent properties operated by the Seneca Nation. Upon agreement, the Seneca Nation of Indians must pay $349 million in gaming revenue to both the state and local communities, and this money had been withheld in the past based on the state's failure to honor the tribe's exclusivity zone.

Casinos mean a lot more than just gambling to the Native peoples' economy and rights. The new agreement recognizes the tribe's zone as independent and able to operate casinos as long as payments are made to the state, along with agreeing to set forth pro-rated repayments of previous money owed.

Economic Benefits for Tribal Communities

Native American reservations developed casinos at a rapid rate, as half of the Native Americans on or near a reservation belonged to a tribe that opened a Las Vegas-style casino. Casinos have changed the economic climate of these lands for the better. More young adults are moving back to the reservations as a result, which has led to a population increase. Their adult employment rates have also increased, along with a decline in working poverty. In communities with or near a casino, the population has increased and mortality has declined. Non-native people drive for over an hour to enjoy a nearby casino, and their money goes into the reservation's economy. It's no wonder tribes continue to host casinos on their land.

Other notable Native American casinos in New York include the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, Point Place Casino, and Yellow Brick Road Casino.