10.15.07
Shinnecocks eyeing Aqueduct for casino
By: Howard Koplowitz
A Native American tribe from Long Island is interested in building a casino at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, a spokeswoman for the tribe said Monday.
The Shinnecock Indian Nation's proposal entails 490,000 square feet of gaming space that would include 10,600 slot machines and 350 tables for blackjack and poker.
More than $2 billion in revenue would be generated through gambling, the tribe said.
The proposal is much wider in scope than the planned video lottery terminals for Aqueduct, which would contain only slot-machine-like devices.
The tribe is currently not federally recognized, which would be needed in order for it to build a casino in the state. It filed for federal recognition in 1978 but has not gotten an answer.
Beverly Jensen, a Shinnecock spokeswoman, said she did not immediately know the criteria for federal recognition, but "whatever it is, we meet all of that and above and beyond."
Since the area around Aqueduct is not Shinnecock land, the tribe would need to enter into an agreement with the state to build a casino at the site - if it becomes federally recognized.
A Native American tribe from Long Island is interested in building a casino at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, a spokeswoman for the tribe said Monday.
The Shinnecock Indian Nation's proposal entails 490,000 square feet of gaming space that would include 10,600 slot machines and 350 tables for blackjack and poker.
More than $2 billion in revenue would be generated through gambling, the tribe said.
The proposal is much wider in scope than the planned video lottery terminals for Aqueduct, which would contain only slot-machine-like devices.
The tribe is currently not federally recognized, which would be needed in order for it to build a casino in the state. It filed for federal recognition in 1978 but has not gotten an answer.
Beverly Jensen, a Shinnecock spokeswoman, said she did not immediately know the criteria for federal recognition, but "whatever it is, we meet all of that and above and beyond."
Since the area around Aqueduct is not Shinnecock land, the tribe would need to enter into an agreement with the state to build a casino at the site - if it becomes federally recognized.
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