December 9

Tuesday in New York, Governor Pataki revealed new pacts designed to help mend land claims by two Indian tribes. In return, permission was granted in order to construct casinos in the Catskill Mountains.

The two tribes involved in the pacts are the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians and the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin. Even though both tribes are currently from Wisconsin, they have rightfully traced their ancestry to the state of New York.

Both deals have been made less than 30 days after the Governor publicized parallel provisions with two other tribes. Those tribes that are also looking to operate Catskill casinos are the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma and the Cayuga Indian Nation of New York.

Also, a fifth land claim deal by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, could also make way for even another casino run by  a tribe in the Catskills. Their deal is still in the works for a tribal referendum.

Some view the possibility of casinos in the area to still way of in the future. Some still think the deals will never completely happen. The new deals do not mean that the casinos are a sure thing yet. In order for the deals to propel further, state lawmakers will have to pass a bill escalating the permitted amount of casinos higher than the current permitted amount of three. Additionally,  The deals must also get the approval of the Legislature and Congress. Last but not least, they need to clear various local regulatory issues, too.