Saying that their financial obligation to the state has ended, the Seneca Indian Nation will cease to pay its casino revenue with the New York State at the end of the month.

The western New York tribe, which has already turned over US$1.4 billion over the last 14 years, and they think they’ve already paid the state enough for its financial obligations as outlined in the 2002 compact.

The 2002 contract provides that the state will give the tribe exclusive rights to operate three casinos in western New York in exchange for up to 25 percent of slot machine revenues. New York splits the revenue with Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca, the host communities responsible for providing municipal services to the casinos.

Seneca Tribe pointed out that it is still willing to make payments to the three cities where its casinos are located in exchange for services – but not its financial obligations to the whole state.