Following the expiration of the gaming compact between New York State and the Seneca Nation, state officials are taking steps to advance casino revenues to the cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Salamanca. This move comes as the Seneca Nation has not made quarterly revenue payments to the state since the compact expired in December 2023.
Under the terms of the now-expired compact, New York State was entitled to receive 25% of the “net drop” from slot machines at Seneca casinos. However, since the compact's expiration, the Seneca Nation has been depositing these revenues into an escrow account leading to a financial standstill for the state and host cities.
Negotiations between the Seneca Nation and New York State have been ongoing since June 2023, but despite back-and-forth discussions no new agreement has been reached. As a result of the situation, the cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Salamanca, which rely on these casino revenues for various local services and initiatives, have not received any payments.
The state's decision to advance revenues is to alleviate some of the financial strain on these municipalities as negotiations continue.
New York State Advances Seneca Casino Revenues Amid Ongoing Negotiations