Oneidas, State And Counties Reach Casino Agreement

Leaders from Oneida and Madison Counties and the Oneida Indian Nation joined Governor Andrew Cuomo in Albany today for the announcement of a major agreement between the parties.

Cuomo says the agreement paves the way to end decades of litigation and controversy over taxes, land and gaming issues.

He says the deal includes tribal regional gaming exclusivity for the Oneidas, revenue sharing and it settles the land claims.

Under the agreement, the Nation would provide 25% of the net gaming revenue from its slot machines to the state, estimated at about $50 million a year.

Cuomo says the state would pay Oneida County about $12.5 million a year, while Madison County would get a one-time payment of $11 million dollars for past tax claims.

The Oneida Nation has also agreed to a permanent cap of about 25,000 acres of land which may be placed into trust.