This past Wednesday, the Seneca Indian Nation stated they would be stopping construction for their planned casino-hotel complex in Buffalo, New York. The cost to build the casino is an estimated $333 million and the group decided on the halt because of the poor economy.

The decision to continue the build was reassessed by the group after they realized “greater demands on our available cash, increased competition and challenging economic and capital market conditions." This decision also comes one day after a federal judge reinforced a ruling that declared casino gambling illegal on the building site. A spokesman for the Seneca group stated that decision was not a factor.

It has also been reported that not only have the Seneca group stopped construction on the new casino, but they have also suspended an expansion project on the casino and hotel in Salamanca. This is a casino the group already owns and operates and the expansion was set to cost $130 million.

Phil Pantano, the Spokesman for Seneca Gaming Corporation, has stated the suspensions are temporary but cannot say when work will continue on the projects. Pantano stated “We’re going to continue to watch the economy very closely”.

The casino to be built in Buffalo promises many jobs to locals and the mayor of the city wants work to continue: "I still believe that this $333 million project, which will create over 1,000 jobs, will be a benefit to the city of Buffalo," Mayor Byron Brown said.

Not only does the Seneca Gaming Corp have to deal with a poor economy but they also have pressure coming from casino opponents. The opponents want to keep pressure on the ruling of illegal gambling on the site to move the group out.


- 2008-08-28