An agreement on land rights paves the way for new sites in New York
Friday 19th November 2004
The State of New York will get two new Native American casinos, after Empire Resorts, Inc. announced ambitious plans to develop in the Catskills area yesterday.
An agreement between the Cayuga Nation and the State of New York secured land title claims dating back to 1700, allowing the parties to enter into a class III gaming contract, to last 18 years.
Empire executive Robert Berman welcomed the agreement: “These historic events have provided Empire with the unique opportunity to partner with these tribes to develop two Native American casinos just 90 miles from New York City.”
The contract permits the operation of slot machines but not video lottery gaming devices, and gives the Cayuga Nation and other approved Indian tribes exclusive rights to much of the New York state area, in return for 25 per cent of the net revenue surrendered to New York State.
Empire President Morad Tahbaz said they hoped to have both projects open by the end of 2006.
