Niagara County is concerned over casino tax

Niagara County would no longer receive its annual amount of casino revenues.

US.- The Seneca Nation of Indian has announced to the New York State authorities that they will not be contributing to the Niagara County funding starting this year. The local government has been receiving tax payments by the Nation, which is destined to economic and social development, and tax relief.

Niagara Gazette revealed that the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino has generated US$800,000 as to casino taxes for the county administration. “I was surprised to hear that these payments will not be forthcoming,” County Manager Rick Updegrove. He was notified by the state’s government last week.

The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is located at the touristic City of Niagara Falls. Whilst operators pay over US$20 million per year to the city’s government, the city does not contribute with casino taxes to the county’s funding.

“We believe the ongoing obligation is clear, and discussions continue with the Seneca Nation, its representatives and other stakeholders towards a resolution,” commented Morris Peters, a spokesman for the New York State Division of the Budget, to the Niagara Gazette. Local legislators will discuss this week further solutions to the dispute.

“The groups that have received casino funding are groups that have a positive impact on our economy and groups that provide community services,” Updegrove added. Casino taxes have been destined to municipalities, not-for-profits organisations, libraries, youth sports teams and this year, in particular, the YWCA’s Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program, the renovation of the Historic Lockport Mill Race and a new projector for the public planetarium at the Challenger Learning Center.