The proposed Lago Resort & Casino of New York State has come under strong opposition after the Oneida Indian Nation has declared their feelings on the casino plans. The tribe recently sent a letter to the New York State Gaming Commission via their Washington D.C. based lawyers asking that licensing for the new casino be denied.

The Lago Resort & Casino would be located in between Syracuse and Rochester which is around 75 miles from the Turning Stone casino resort operated by the Oneida tribe. Williams & Connelly, the firm representing the tribe, stated in the letter that the licensing should be denied due to the ‘deeply flawed decision-making process’ of the state.

Sent on April 1st, the letter was the latest in several challenges to the proposed casino plan. A lawsuit was filed by the Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack to try and stop the casino which would be located even closer than Turning Stone, a mere 25 miles from the race track.

In December of 2014, the Gaming Commission received three proposals including one from the Rochester developer for the Lago property. The commission must now award licensing to those who applied for the process to continue.

The Oneida tribe stated in their letter the Gaming Commission is required to deny the license for Lago due to a number of factors. Included in their reasoning is that the Lago was unable to prove with substantial evidence that they will offer meaningful value to the states since most of their revenues will be a result of cannibalizing business from venues such as the Turning stone and racetrack facilities.

The tribe may open as many casinos as they choose,  with no limits as long as they are located on Indian lands within a ten county area surrounding Turning Stone. Four days after the Lago casino license was recommended, the tribe announced they would be opening a casino in Chittenango with a Yellow Brick Road theme.