The Oneida Indians have struck a deal with the Cuomo administration to guarantee exclusive territory for their central New York casino in exchange for an estimated $50 million in annual payments to the state.
The proposed deal announced Thursday would be part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to bring three Las Vegas casinos to upstate New York at yet-to-be-identified locations. Under the deal, the Oneida Indian Nation would begin paying a share of its revenue from their Turning Stone Resort Casino to the state.
The agreement comes a week after Cuomo said Indian casinos run by the Oneidas, Senecas and Mohawks could face competition in their backyards if talks with tribes fail to yield results.
A public referendum to change New York’s constitution to allow non-Indian casinos could be on the ballot as early as November.
