Niagara Falls, N.Y. (WBEN) - As the casino compact dispute continues between New York State and the Seneca Nation, we're learning casino revenue money will soon come to the three host cities of Salamanca, Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls Mayor Rob Restaino says he learned of this on Friday.
"I presume it'll be just like anything else, where they will sort of make up for a period of time that the revenue share hasn't happened. I think typically it's by quarter that the state would issue this, so once they issue this revenue, then we have to sort of grapple with how do we handle it relative to our other obligations," said Restaino in an interview with WBEN.
Restaino says this comes as the budget cycle begins in the Cataract City.
"For us, it's really what do we do in the coming year? How do we handle this revenue, and what's going to happen as we get into 2025?" Restaino pondered. "It's sort of beyond me why this has taken so long."
Restaino speculates the reasons are two fold: Exclusivity on the part of the Seneca Nation, and revenue share on the part of New York State. However, he says they are intertwined.
"I think there's a real disconnect in thinking by both parties on what that should look like, what that equation should look like. Given some of the things that the Nation may be looking at, in terms of other locations across the country, and then also what may have gone on in other locations around our state," Restaino said.
The dispute has been discomforting all-around, because the revenue has become a part of putting together the budget.
"We've been fortunate that we've been able to take a look at other revenue streams to slowly be able to reduce that dependency," Restaino explained.
He adds while he's very cautious, he's also trying to be as prepared as possible by talking with partners in state government.
"I've always asked them, 'Just give me the unvarnished version.' There's no need to give me any 'pie in the sky', and they've been very good about that," Restaino said.
While the compact expired in December 2023, both sides have extended it quarterly, provided both sides negotiate in good faith.