[*TT*]

Guys -

The chances of the Shinnecock getting Aqueduct is probably greater than 100:1 against. As per Congress a tribe may only open a casino on it's own ancestored sovereign land, they cannot purchase property as part of the compact with the state to relocate the casino. This ruling came in part to stop former NYS Governer Patacki who was trying to open 5 Indian casinos in up-state NY, Patacki was foiled just before stepping down from his post.

Recently Spitzer also tried by cutting a deal with the St. Regis Mohawks to run a casino at the Monticello Raceway. Only problem is since it's not sovereign land the Department of the Interior has to be willing to take the racetrack into trust for the Mowhawks and thats just not going to happen based on past results with the prior Governor.

Sadly I think this is really just a PR ploy to push congress into changing the Department of Interior regulations by using the threat of the Shinnecocks ruining the value of land in the Hamptons where so many politicians spend their holidays. Funny thing is that the Shinnecock's are not considered a legal tribe by the Dept of Interior yet so this all may be a moot conversation.

Sorry to be the wet blanket [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Anyone who wants to research this should Google Catskills Casino, we have discussed this numerous times in the B&M forum as well (not with the Shinnecock component of the story, but its all the same). The reason why the Governors are so gung-ho about Indian casinos is casinos are illegal in the state of NY and the law is highly unlikely to change, this is their attempt to back-door in the industry and perhaps pay off a few political debts at the same time without it costing them much int he way of political capital lost.