New York negotiations for Seneca casino compact stalled

Negotiations between the Seneca Nation and New York State for a new casino gaming compact are progressing slowly. The previous deal expired at the end of 2023. Under that compact, New York received 25% of the Seneca's slot machine profits. This money was shared with the cities hosting the casino, including Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Salamanca. Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has benefited from over $14 million in casino revenue from 2002 to 2023. This funding helped the hospital improve facilities and support jobs. President Joe Ruffolo emphasized that these funds were crucial for expanding health services in the area and would continue to address the hospital's $58 million in capital needs. State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt pointed out that negotiations for a new compact are not making significant headway. Both parties have agreed to extend the previous terms quarterly as they continue discussions. However, Ortt expressed concern that the timeline for a new deal is unclear. In the past, a bill known as 99-H required Niagara Falls to allocate funds from the casino to important local stakeholders, such as the hospital and the school district. This bill expired alongside the compact, but lawmakers are now working to reinstate it. They are proposing new legislation to ensure that the hospital and schools receive specific amounts of casino money each year. The lawmakers believe this is important for the community, especially for vulnerable populations, and it won't cost the state more money. They aim to have these discussions before reaching a new casino deal. Ortt and Morinello acknowledged that the state might receive less revenue in the future but prefer that stakeholders secure some benefits rather than none. Even while negotiations continue, the Senecas have set aside the state's share of revenue in an escrow account. The governor's office provided cities with part of their allocation last fall, but local stakeholders reported that without the 99-H legislation, they have not accessed this funding.