Niagara County opposes revenue pooling in Seneca compact

Legislators in New York's Niagara County unanimously adopted a resolution while negotiations continue on a new casino compact with the Seneca Nation of Indians. The resolution asks Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to protect local revenue sharing payments.

The text calls for an amendment to Section 99h of the state finance law. Under the change, Niagara Falls' share of revenue from the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino would stay fixed at 25 percent of the state's share. Buffalo's rate would be kept at the same level. The resolution also opposes any provision or interpretation that would allow the revenue of the three casinos to be pooled before local shares are calculated.

The resolution's lead sponsor, Republican Legislator Chris McKimmie, who represents Niagara Falls and the Town of Niagara, argued that a pooling system could harm future revenue for Niagara Falls and Niagara County. McKimmie noted that the Niagara facility generates the highest revenue of the Seneca's three casinos in the region. He said the revenue should stay in Niagara County.

Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino warned that if the host community provisions are removed from the new compact, the city could lose between 11 million and 13 million dollars a year. The legislators are also seeking clear legal assurances for local revenue sharing arrangements.