Thompson, NY – The Stockbridge Munsee of Wisconsin say they’re exploring their options on a potential New York casino now that the Obama administration has rescinded a rule that blocked Indian tribes from building casinos far from their reservations.
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The Wisconsin tribe has been working for more than a decade to build a casino in the Catskills, which is within day-tripping distance of the lucrative New York City market.
But the Stockbridge Munsee’s proposal was derailed by the federal Department of the Interior in 2008 when it ruled that casinos should not be built beyond a reasonable commuting distance from a tribe’s reservation. Officials feared that reservation residents would move to follow the new jobs.
The Obama administration rescinded the rule Tuesday, removing one roadblock for faraway tribes that want to build Catskill casinos.
“Officials feared that reservation residents would move to follow the new jobs.”
Really? Have any of you ever been to a tribal casino? Other than SOME of the executive management, I don’t see many Native Americans working there.
That being said, I am SOOOO happy to see this happening. Sullivan County has been so depressed for so long. Several casinos could be opened by different tribes creating tens of thousands of jobs. This is long overdue and I am so happy for residents of Sullivan County.
May this effort encounter every form of red tape imaginable. I wish it only complete failure. We have enough temptation in our environment. It is not just the gambling issue (a serious problem in the frum community), but the decadence, irresponsibility, and lack of tznius that should be nowhere near us.
This would be horrible. I hope it fails or even better, never happens. If the ferd don’t bring in enough money, get rid of the racetrack & do something else with the land.
#’s 2 and 4 – if you are against gambling, nobody is forcing you to participate. I don’t think that the casino or the race track are sending limos to your homes to provide you with a personal escort service. STAY AT HOME, but don’t deprive those that are interested from participating. Also, you have absolutely no foresight. Do you not realize how much the economy will benefit from gaming?