New York entered October 5, 2026 with an open dispute over the future of the Nation-State Gaming Compact: Seneca Nation of Indians President J. Conrad Seneca says there is an “agreement in principle” for a new compact without revenue sharing, while Governor Kathy Hochul’s office says there is still no agreement and negotiations remain ongoing.
The historic pact, formally known as the Nation-State Gaming Compact Between the Seneca Nation of Indians and the State of New York, was signed in 2002 and took effect on December 9, 2002 under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). It granted the Nation exclusive rights over three Class III gaming operations in Western New York: Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo and Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca.
Rob Ortt
The original framework exchanged exclusivity for state payments: 18% of net drop in years 1–4, 22% in years 5–7 and 25% in years 8–14. The compact had an initial 14-year term followed by an automatic seven-year renewal. A dispute over those payments escalated in 2017 and ended in 2022 with the Nation paying approximately US$564–565 million after years of litigation. J. Conrad Seneca now says the preliminary new compact does not include revenue sharing because New York did not offer new market protections, additional exclusivity or equivalent expansion opportunities. He also says the Nation proposed maintaining direct payments to Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca, but the state rejected that structure.
Robert Restaino
Hochul, by contrast, says “there is currently no agreement.” State Senator Rob Ortt questioned the contradiction, noting that without exclusivity or payments, the two core pillars of the original model disappear.
Kathy Hochul
Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino warned that the city could lose between US$11 million and US$13 million annually if revenue sharing ends. The current extension was approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior on December 18, 2023 and has continued through quarterly extensions since March 31, 2024, with payments placed in escrow while negotiations continue.
The Seneca Nation is led by J. Conrad Seneca, with Al E. George as Treasurer and Lenith Waterman as Clerk. Seneca Gaming Corporation is headed by Kevin Nephew, with Kimberlee Dunlop serving as COO. In New York, the Gaming Commission is chaired by Brian O’Dwyer, with Robert Williams as Executive Director. Seneca expects to take a new compact to the Legislature in spring 2027, but a final text, state authorization and federal review under IGRA would still be required.
