Buffalo Creek
Casino shut down by judge ruling
A
federal judge ruled yesterday that the Seneca Nation's Buffalo
Creek Casino cannot legally operate on its site. According to
U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny the previous decision by
National Indian Gaming Commission to allow casino gambling was
"arbitrary, capricious and not in accordance with the law"
although the judge did indeed rule that the nine-acre site on
Michigan Avenue was tribe land. At this time it remains unclear
if the federal judge's decision will halt the $300+ million
construction of the permanent Buffalo Creek Casino, but it's
certain that the temporary casino will have to be shut down.
"The court’s decision is lengthy and requires much closer
analysis. We want to be sure that the court was aware of and
considered all of the applicable federal law," said Seneca’s
president, Maurice John.
The Senecas opened their temporary
casino exactly one year ago in a barn-like building, while the
permanent site of the Buffalo Creek Casino was being built. The
tribe operates two additional casinos in Niagara Falls and on
the Allegany territory in Salamanca. According to the Senecas,
the casinos have brought more money in Western New York State
than the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres combined.
Published on
07/09/2008
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