Picente, Local Leaders Oppose Proposed Seneca County Casino

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente along with Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi and Senator Joe Griffo are calling on the New York State Gaming Commission to oppose a casino that has been proposed in Seneca County.

They expressed what they call serious concerns that a casino in Seneca County would cost thousands of area residents jobs because of direct competition with the Turning Stone Resort Casino.

“One of the major goals in expanding gaming throughout the state was to create new economic opportunity, not to place facilities in such close proximity that they cannibalize one another,” said Picente. “The Oneida Nation and Turning Stone have a proven model for responsible development that has worked for decades, and continues to produce valuable job opportunities for residents in our area. It would be irrational and irresponsible to put that success in jeopardy, destroying the gains that we have made in Oneida County by inserting a Seneca County casino that would have a detrimental impact on area businesses, local workers and the families that they work hard to support.”

Other letters echoing Picente's thoughts were also sent by Mohawk Valley EDGE President Steve DiMeo and Oneida County Tourism President Kelly Blazosky.