Historically, there’s always been some type of chatter about locating a gambling casino somewhere on Lake George.
This year Governor Cuomo has proposed four new gaming casinos throughout upstate New York. You can read more about the Governor’s ideas in the Albany Times Union.
What is interesting to note is that both Warren and Essex counties are now ineligible for one of these new proposed casino’s under an agreement reached May 21st between the state of New York and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. However, Washington County would still be eligible.
Let me try to explain.
The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is located in the northern part of New York state. They have had three-year dispute with New York over the tribe’s gaming exclusivity zone and revenue-sharing from its slot machine profits. The May 21st agreement stipulates that the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe will pay $30 million owed to the state and 25% of future gaming revenues. In return, the tribe will have exclusive gaming rights in an eight county zone. The counties are: Essex, Clinton, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence and Warren.
This means that any new casino could not be located in those counties. While any site in Washington county would be a long-shot, it’s Washington county, and not our two neighboring Lake George counties, that’s still in the running for a new gambling arena.