Seneca Gaming Corporation, the operators of Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, issued the following statement in response to information presented to the Legislation Committee of the Buffalo Common Council:
“To clarify misrepresentations about our business, our gaming, lodging, food and beverage and entertainment operations provide considerable economic benefit to Western New York, above and beyond the 25 percent exclusivity payments on slot revenues. No other local entity has invested more than $1 billion in local economic development over the past eight years as the Seneca Nation has done. One need to look no further than the more than 3,600 jobs our facilities provide and our more than $110 million annual payroll – despite a down economy – to begin to understand the investment and impact the Seneca Nation and Seneca Gaming Corporation have made locally.”
“Our properties attract tens of thousands visitors each week, including an average of 14,000 weekly visitors at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, making them among the most popular destinations in the region. While customer incentives do exist, a large percentage of our patrons pay cash for such items as show tickets, hotel stays and meals. Ignoring these facts and the obvious commitment by the Seneca Nation to the welfare of Western New York doesn’t seem to be balanced, fair and reasonable.”
“We believe that our properties and amenities provide an excellent complement to the marketplace. Seneca Nation and Seneca Gaming Corporation leaders have made a concerted effort in Buffalo to discuss how any future developments at the Buffalo Creek territory could work in a complimentary [sic] fashion within the larger economic development vision taking shape for the downtown area in closest proximity us. We remain encouraged by the energy and tenor of those conversations.”