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Recognition of tribe could bring new casino to Big Apple
New York City’s suburbs could get a new Indian casino following federal recognition of the Shinnecock tribe on Long Island.
Following a three-decade fight in court to be acknowledged as a legitimate tribe, the Shinnecock Indians are likely to gain their new status after a public comment period of six months at most. They would then be able to run a Class II casino on their territory.
However, although most of the thousand-strong tribe live in Southampton, New York, it is believed that they hope to negotiate with state and federal officials to launch a Class III casino elsewhere. Possible locations include Long Island, Queens and Nassau.This option is likely to appeal to state officials. While New York State would receive no income from a Class II facility on tribal land, they could make a revenue share a condition of approval for a Class III venue elsewhere.
The Shinnecocks first filed a petition for recognition in 1978, and eventually sued the US Interior Department in 2006 when the matter remained unresolved.
