New York State and Seneca Indian Nation leaders have announced a deal to resolve a long-running dispute over western New York gambling rights and revenue.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Seneca President Barry Snyder said Thursday that $630 million in payments withheld by the tribe after it said the state broke an agreement granting it exclusive gambling rights will be divided up between three cities with Seneca casinos, the state and the tribe.
They say financially-strapped Niagara Falls will get $89 million, Salamanca $34.5 million and Buffalo $15.5 million. It wasn't initially known how the balance will be divided between the state and tribe.
The deal reaffirms the Senecas' exclusivity rights, but allows three non-Indian racetrack "racinos" in the region to continue operating as long as they don't bill themselves as casinos.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.