Albany, NY, Aug 15, 2011 — State Senator Patty Ritchie is looking to find out what her constituents think about the suggestion Governor Andrew Cuomo made last week, that New York should take a look at non-Native casino gambling. And she's doing it via an online poll on her website.  Go to full article

Irving, NY, Aug 11, 2011 — Seneca Nation president Robert Odawi Porter is using an historic piece of cloth to deliver a message to New York State about native sovereignty. He said payment of the cloth and a small sum according to an 18th century treaty symbolizes native nations' freedom from state taxation and right to land.

The history lesson came on the same day that Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he is considering legalizing gambling in New York. That would have a profound effect on native nations and tribes around the state who rely on their casinos for revenue. Martha Foley and Dave Bullard report.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Aug 10, 2011 — Governor Andrew Cuomo says he's re examining the state's approach to casino gambling, and is looking at whether and how gaming in New York should be expanded.

Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Nov 18, 2010 — The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe says it's "at an impasse" in talks with New York over sharing the revenue from the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino near Massena. The tribe says it's paid more than $50 million to the state, St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, and four north Country towns since 2005 under the Mohawks' gaming compact.

But those payments stopped last month when the tribe claimed New York violated an exclusivity clause in the compact by allowing slot machines on a little native territory in Clinton County. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Malone, NY, May 27, 2010 — This morning in Malone, a coalition of experts and non-profit groups will hold a conference on the issue of problem gambling.

A generation ago, gambling was far less pervasive. Now, betting is everywhere. You can buy lottery tickets at the corner convenience store or place your wager on-line.

Jill Vaughan is a caseworker who handles problem gambling prevention for Northstar Chemical Dependency Services.

Gambler's Anonymous Watertown/Canton/Massena/Ogdensburg Hotline Number: (315) 482-9445  Go to full article

Malone, NY, May 27, 2010 — Experts say problem gambling can wreck lives and families in much the same way as drug and alcohol addiction.

Brian Mann spoke with a reformed gambler from St. Lawrence County, who asked that his name not be made public.

He says gambling is pervasive in the North Country, but help is available for people who feel they have lost control  Go to full article

Monticello, NY, Aug 31, 2009 — The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is back into the hunt for a casino in the Catskills. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Mar 05, 2009 — The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe lashed out against Governor Paterson and the New York Power Authority Tuesday for sending low-cost hydropower to Long Island. The 9 megawatts was reserved for the Mohawks and their growing casino, which has been running on generators. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jan 15, 2008 — The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is suing the federal government over its decision against a Mohawk casino in the Catskills. The Department of the Interior ruled earlier this month that the site is too far from the Akwesasne Mohawk reservation near Massena. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jan 07, 2008 — The federal government has rejected the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe's plan to build a $600 million casino resort in the Catskills. In a letter sent late Friday, the Department of the Interior ruled the 350-mile distance between the planned casino and the Akwesasne Mohawk reservation near Massena was too far. The DOI said too many residents could leave the reservation in search of a job at the proposed casino and cause "serious and far-reaching implications for the remaining tribal community." The Mohawks having been working for more than a decade to build a casino in the Catskills. The proposed resort had the support of Governor Spitzer. It was expected to create 3,000 jobs for the region and generate millions of dollars in revenue for New York. St. Regis Mohawk tribal chiefs harshly criticized the decision. A press release called it "arbitrary, capricious, and laughable". Chief Lorraine White said it was "a brazen paternalistic assault against all of Indian Country." David Sommerstein spoke with Chief White this morning. She explained why she called the decision a "paternalistic assault."  Go to full article