It has been reported that the United States Department of Interior today rejected the deal which would have seen the Wisconsin-based Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe erect a casino in New York’s Catskills

.

An article by Crain’s New York Business explains that racino interests, which were vehemently against the plan, said the deal would cost the state roughly $400 million annually in lost gaming revenue — money the state can't afford to lose with a $10 billion budget deficit.

“By rejecting this ill-conceived compact, the Department of Interior has allowed New York State to go back to the drawing board and put together a gaming policy that makes sense,” the New York Gaming Association, which represents racetrack casinos in New York, said today via statement. “That new policy will hopefully capitalize on existing resources like our racetrack casinos, which already put more than $1 billion per year in tax revenue toward state coffers and could help bolster our sagging economy even further if allowed to operate full-scale casinos.”

“We will continue to work toward final resolution of all issues with all of these parties with as much dedication and cooperation as we have in the past,” Kimberly Vele, president of Stockbridge-Munsee, was quoted as saying in the Crain’s New York Business article. “Despite today's disappointing decision, I will always be hopeful and confident that soon the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohicans will receive the justice that we have so patiently waited for the past two centuries.”

(With files from Crain’s New York Business)

Related Stories

• NYS Racinos Continue To Speak Out
• Why Can Wisc. Indians Operate NYS Casino?
• New York State Racino Pact Speaks Out Against Proposed Indian Casino
• NY Governor Paterson’s Final Word
• Upset Over Proposed Indian Casino