May 23, 2013 — On Tuesday, Governor Cuomo and the chiefs of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe announced a surprise deal in Albany. It grants the Mohawks' exclusive gaming rights in the North Country. In return, the tribe will resume sharing millions of dollars in casino revenue with New York State and St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. That after a three-year dispute.

Yesterday, the chiefs were back in Akwesasne, holding a press conference at their brand new hotel and casino expansion.

They called Cuomo "sincere". They said it was the promise of resolving the Mohawks' 31-year old land claim that made the gaming pact possible.
David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

May 22, 2013 — Mohawk tribal chiefs joined Governor Cuomo in Albany yesterday to announce a new deal on casino exclusivity.

They signed off on settling a long-running dispute over revenues from the Mohawks' Akwesasne Casino near Massena. In return, the Mohawks will get exclusive gaming rights in the 8-county North Country region.

David Sommerstein joined Martha Foley to sort out what the deal means for the North Country and the Mohawk land claim.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, May 21, 2013 — Fresh off a deal with the Oneida Nation, Governor Cuomo stood with chiefs of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe this afternoon to announced a deal to resolve gaming issues that affect the North Country.  Go to full article

May 14, 2013 — Governor Andrew Cuomo has outlined plans to expand organized gaming in the state, arguing the addition of three casinos in upstate New York would bring substantial economic benefits to the region.

"We have gaming. The question really is, should we recognize the reality of our situation, and fully participate in casinos and gaming, and actually regulate it intelligently and tie it into our overall tourism efforts."

But, casino development has other implications including, as researchers have discovered, a significant impact on health.  Go to full article

May 02, 2013 — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders tried to jumpstart negotiations over siting several new gambling casinos in New York. But they also concede that the plans might be delayed for another year.  Go to full article

Dec 19, 2012 — Governor Cuomo shed some more light Tuesday on his plans for expanding gambling in New York. But he said he didn't want to identify specific places where non-native owned casinos should be built.

Cuomo said that should be the job of the gaming industry in a competitive bidding process. "I would leave it to the operators, the experts, to say, you tell me," said Cuomo, "within these regions of the state, where do you think the best market is, where would you site it to maximize economic opportunity, maximize job growth."  Go to full article

Verona, NY, Sep 04, 2012 — The Oneida Nation in central New York says it's promising to reinvest much of its revenues from its hugely successful Turning Stone casino in the local economy. That vow comes with New York poised to legalize non-native owned casinos.  Go to full article

Brasher Falls, NY, May 23, 2012 — Gov. Cuomo's proposal to expand gambling in New York gave one rural St. Lawrence County leader an idea.

"I was thinking when I read the governor's proposal to put seven casinos in New York State, I thought, why not put one in the northern tier? Maybe we could get one up here." Brasher Town Supervisor James Dawson told town board members last week a casino would be a great way to attract visitors to the region...and to pump up St. Lawrence County's flagging economy.

The 900 acres Dawson has in mind has already been considered for a racetrack and entertainment complex. That development failed, and the land ended up in bankruptcy court. Dawson told Nora Flaherty a casino there could anchor a host of spin-off development.  Go to full article

Lake George, NY, Dec 21, 2011 — Village officials in Lake George have voted to launch a study that would examine possible impacts of casino gambling on the Adirondack resort. The study could cost as much as $15,000. But as Martha Foley reports, some local leaders think it's important to begin thinking about a new gambling industry now as lawmakers in Albany consider liberalizing the state's gaming laws.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 21, 2011 — A new poll on several current issues, finds more New Yorkers support hydrofracking in the Marcellus shale region of upstate New York--and that the majority thinks expanding casino gambling in the state is a good idea. Karen DeWitt has the details:  Go to full article