New York Tribe Ads Criticize Plans for Use of Casino Funds
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New York-based tribe the Seneca Nation has launched an ad campaign to criticize the state government’s use of casino funds. The body is spending tens of thousands of dollars on the radio and television ads. Governor Kathy Hochul wants to use Senecas casino revenue to help build a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills.
The Seneca Nation President Matthew Pagels is angry about the funding decision. The tribe's ad campaign focuses on an ethics complaint against Governor Hochul. Her husband is a senior executive in a company partnered with the Buffalo Bills. He stands to make millions of dollars through the sale of concessions at the planned stadium.
The Seneca Nation has a long-running battle with the state over casino revenue payments. The tribe operates casinos in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca. It was supposed to pay 25% of slots revenue to the State in 2016, but it missed the deadline. Last month the government froze the tribe's corporate bank accounts and it sent $565m back to them. Governor Hochul wants to use the money for a $600m share in the proposed $1.4bn Bills stadium in her hometown.
