The Seneca Nation of Indians has been at odds with lawmakers in New York ever since the state authorized video gaming machines (VGMs), slot-like terminals that the tribe claims violated its Class III gaming compact.

The Seneca compact, which expired in December 2023, required the tribe to direct 25% of its gross gaming revenue (GGR) from its slot machines to the state. In exchange, the Senecas were to have the exclusive rights to gambling games in Upstate New York west of State Route 14.

Since the compact expired, the Senecas have sent 25% of their slot win to an escrow account. Negotiations with the state have been fruitless, with a June 2023 deal that included allowing the Senecas to open a casino in Rochester failing after local government officials and lawmakers representing the city pushed back on the backroom deal the Senecas and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) struck.

“While we have engaged in productive discussions with the Seneca Nation, we were unable to reach a final agreement, and the Assembly did not pass the authorizing legislation. We look forward to continuing to work toward an agreement that works for all parties,” Hochul said at the time.

More than three years later, no new deal has been reached. Last Friday (Oct. 2), Seneca Nation President J.C. Seneca proclaimed that a compact had been “negotiated in principle.”

President Seneca made the surprise announcement on Oct. 2 that new compact terms had been reached. The tribal leader claimed the deal includes no revenue sharing moving forward, and that the terms would be put to a vote by Hochul next spring once the New York State Legislature convenes.

A spokesperson for Hochul said that while the governor remains in “productive discussions” with the Seneca Nation, she has not agreed to a new compact.

“Because of Governor Hochul’s continued hostility toward the Seneca Nation and her team’s unwillingness to provide us anything of value in return for a revenue share provision, we negotiated an agreement in principle with no revenue share agreement,” President Seneca said.