Tribe claims state in violation of Tribal Gaming Compact
AKWESASNE TERRITORY - The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council, after consultation with the community at their monthly Tribal Meeting, has discontinued casino Revenue Share to the State of New York. “The state has violated the exclusivity provisions of the Mohawk-State Gaming Compact,” stated Tribal Chief Monica Jacobs.
The 2004 Compact amendment approved the play of slot machines at the Tribe’s Akwesasne Mohawk Casino. The State of New York is obligated to ensure that the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe has the exclusive right to install and operate slot machines in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Warren Counties. Violation of this obligation relieves the Tribe of its requirement to continue to make revenue sharing payments to the State of New York.
The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal leadership believes that the State has failed to take steps to protect the Tribe’s exclusive gaming franchise. Therefore, the State of New York has not lived up to its obligations under the Compact. "We cannot continue to make payments to the State of New York, when they have not upheld their end of our agreement,” said Tribal Chief Mark Garrow. “Under federal law, a State cannot tax a tribal gaming operation. Instead, Revenue Sharing is made in exchange for the exclusive right to operate slot machines. The State has failed to protect that right.”
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