Catskill Casino Decision will Most Likely Be Spitzer's

NEW YORK – As reported by the New York Times: "Once again, it’s wait-and-see time for proponents of a $600 million casino in the Catskills for the St. Regis Mohawk tribe.

"Somewhat
Artist's rendering of casino floor of proposed Mohawk Monticello Raceway Casino Resort  unexpectedly, Gov. George E. Pataki has decided to leave the fate of the 10-year-old plan to build the casino next to the Monticello racetrack to his successor, Eliot Spitzer, according to a senior state official.

"The Mohawks and their supporters were upbeat about prospects for the Las Vegas-style casino last week, after the federal Interior Department announced that it was approving an environmental review, thereby eliminating a major obstacle for the project. The Interior Department has approved only three other off-reservation casinos since 1998.

"'We won’t move forward with a binding, long-term binding policy decision without the concurrence of the incoming governor,' said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

"The official said that Mr. Spitzer, who has publicly supported Indian casinos, was concerned that his administration would lose leverage in the negotiations with the Mohawks if Mr. Pataki sent the Interior Department a concurrence letter. The state must also negotiate a gambling compact and a revenue-sharing agreement with the tribe before construction can begin.. . . "