Saturday, June 03, 2006

As reported by the Albany Times Union: "Despite its murky legal status,
Turning Stone casino won't be closed, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said
Thursday. "In his most protracted remarks since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled
the land under the casino is taxable, and therefore not sovereign territory,
Spitzer said the thorny problem of its continued operation is difficult to
resolve. ".He said the Oneida Indian Nation, which has operated the casino
since 1993, had an apparent right and belief it was operating legally,
having received a gaming compact from Gov. Mario Cuomo. State court rulings
have rendered the compact illegal because the Legislature never ratified it.

".The next governor will likely inherit the issue of the legality of
gambling at Turning Stone. Gov. George Pataki has been trying to get federal
authorities to offer guidance. The federal government suggests the state
attempt to resolve the matter as part of its land claim negotiations with
the Oneida.."