4.27.2011
The Shinnecock Indian Nation in Southampton, L.I., is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding by the end of this week, the first step in what will be a very long process of creating a casino on the island, according to sources. The new casino would someday compete against the highly anticipated racino scheduled to open at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens, this summer.
The agreement is expected to be with Nassau County, where the tribe has been eyeing Nassau Coliseum as a potential gaming site. Reports published on Wednesday indicate that the tribe is also in discussions with Suffolk County officials about building their gaming facility on a parcel of land in Yaphak. News of the pending memorandum of understanding was first reported by the The New York Post, earlier this month.
A spokeswoman for the tribe declined to comment, while a spokeswoman for Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano declined to comment...
