J.C. Seneca, the newly elected president of the Seneca Nation of Indians, takes office at a pivotal time as the Nation seeks to renegotiate its gaming compact with New York State. Seneca winning more than 87% of the vote reflects the Nation’s growing discontent with Governor Kathy Hochul’s lack of motivation to address such concerns.
The Existing Agreement Is Long Due for an Update
The original compact, established in 2002, gave the Seneca Nation exclusivity to gaming in exchange for a revenue-sharing agreement whereby it would provide 25% of its net slot machine revenues to the state. The compact has since generated several hundred million dollars in revenue for New York, but significant changes to the state’s gambling landscape have caused some friction.
As New York State legalized commercial casinos and sports betting, retail operators have significantly impacted the Nation’s gaming operations. Although the compact expired in late 2023, neither side has proposed an acceptable alternative, resulting in an agreement to renew it every three months. However, this compromise does not address Seneca Nation’s long-time concerns.
The message that I carried has been similar over the many years, and I think this time, the people really got in tune with that and realized that it’s time to move in that direction.
J.C. Seneca
Seneca reinforced the need for face-to-face talks with Governor Kathy Hochul, recalling that previous compacts were only finalized after both sides engaged in personal, open discussions. The new president lamented the lack of progress over the past two years and was confident that reaching a new agreement would be extremely challenging without a new approach.
Seneca Pushed for 0% Revenue-Sharing
Community engagement is a cornerstone of Seneca’s strategy. He plans on holding a series of meetings across the state to ensure that Seneca citizens understand every step of the negotiation process, especially since they will ultimately vote on any new compact in a referendum. Seneca hoped the federal government would recognize how a shifting economic and regulatory environment necessitates significant reforms.
The Seneca Nation’s revenue-sharing agreement with the state will form the cornerstone of the updated gaming compact. A recent Spectrum News report revealed that the new president favors a 0% revenue share agreement. However, he conceded that the final decision would be up to the Seneca Nation people and reiterated his urge for constructive dialogue.
I don’t think the state deserves any revenue from our nation, but again, as president, I have to look at what our people want. They need to be involved in the process.
J.C. Seneca
The Seneca Nation’s casinos, a significant economic driver in Western New York, contribute nearly $1 billion annually to the region and provide roughly 6,000 jobs, many held by non-Native residents. The region’s economic situation means a new agreement could have a substantial impact and even set a precedent for tribal-state relations across the nation.