Shinnecock Nation Unveils Plans For New Casino In Hamptons

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — After a fight for economic parity that has spanned decades, the Shinnecock Indian Nation outlined its plans Wednesday for a casino on the tribe's land in Southampton.

The project, called Shinnecock Casino Hamptons, has been a long-held dream, members of the tribe said. "We've been at this for 20 years," said Shinnecock Tribal Chairman Bryan Polite.

Construction is slated to begin in the summer for the 76,000 square foot Class II facility, which will feature 1,000 video lottery terminals and 30 Texas hold 'em table games, Polite said. The goal is to open about 18 to 24 months after work begins; the casino will bring 300 to 400 jobs to the area, with about 40 percent filled by members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and the rest, for others on the East End, Polite said.

“As we have seen with members of tribal nations, casinos provide an opportunity to lift our members from adversity,” said the Shinnecock Council of Trustees. “Our ancestral lands were taken from us many years ago and New York State has refused to meet with us regarding stolen land claims that were filed over many decades. We have tried to resolve these issues over the last decade by proposing to find more suitable locations on Long Island, but were rebuffed. We have waited long enough and have decided to proceed here on our territory.”

The Shinnecock Nation received approval last summer from the National Indian Gaming Commission to operate a Class II casino on its Southampton reservation. On Dec. 19, the Shinnecock Nation voted to create an economic development zone on the reservation to pave the way for economic development, Polite said.

Trustees confirmed the Shinnecock Nation's association with Tri-State Partners to assist with construction and operation of the casino; the Seminole tribe has also provided guidance and technical and financial support, Polite said.

Funds raised will benefit programs for the Shinnecock tribe as well as education, Polite said.

“Over the past several years we have witnessed the suffering of the Shinnecock Nation and also seen the opportunity to lift their people from the poverty they currently live in,” said Tri-State partner and managing member Jack Morris. “This will be a property Long Island residents will enjoy visiting, while enabling the Shinnecock Nation to take advantage of opportunities other members of Native American nations have harnessed.”

Trustees said they believe the casino will help boost tourism year-round on the East End.

In addition, the Shinnecock Nation and Tri-State are in discussions with restaurant providers to provide a range of food options; Tri-State is also exploring appropriate, right-sized venues within the casino for entertainment.

“We are starting with the casino, but we are also looking at multiple options for additional land acquisitions off territory, potentially including developing waterfront properties and hotels, which the eastern end of Long Island is lacking,” said Morris.

The trustees said that while they are "laser-focused" on the Southampton casino, it will be the first of a number of facilities they hope to build in New York; currently, the plans are for New York casinos only but no suggestions are off the proverbial table, Polite said.

“At a time when we see our country recognizing the rights of all of its citizens, we hope this extends to some of New York’s first inhabitants, the members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation,” the trustees said.

At a press event Thursday, members of the Shinnecock Nation took time to remember in prayer the many they have lost to the coronavirus. "Our hearts are heavy with loss," Polite said.

Polite said since 1640, the Shinnecock Nation has extended its hand to Southampton, from the first settlers, yet the tribe has had to fight against economic disenfranchisement. Despite being "unfairly maligned, we are still here," he said. "The story of the Shinnecock Nation is one of struggle and perseverance."

He mentioned the two 65-foot digital monuments on Montauk Highway that have sparked economic growth, despite some public outcry: On January 28, the New York State Department of Transportation delivered a stop-work order to members of the Shinnecock Nation working on the second electronic billboard on tribal-owned land near the westbound lane of New York State Route 27, directly across the highway from a 61-foot sign erected by the Shinnecock Nation in 2019. The DOT threatened to remove both those digital monuments.

Tribal Trustee Germain Smith spoke about the need for furthering educational opportunities for Shinnecock children and said the Covid crisis has magnified the gap that exists between children who live on the reservation and others in the Southampton district.

"Shinnecock economic endeavors will help to close many of those gaps," he said. "It's time for the Shinnecock Nation to take its rightful place in society and rise up."

Asked how the Shinnecock Nation felt about launching the casino before New York State issued licenses for other casinos, Polite said it was "very important to get up and running before the market gets flooded. We were first in line," he said.

Although the Seminole tribe is involved the facility will not be a Hard Rock, he said.

Some elected officials expressed opposition to the plan.

"I am totally opposed to a casino development at the proposed location," said Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. "Although I respect the sovereignty of the Shinnecock Nation when it comes to development on the reservation property, I cannot think of a worse location to build a casino. Montauk Highway, where the casino is being proposed, is already backed up in the morning and in the afternoon with traffic."

Schneiderman said he also had significant concerns regarding the environmental sensitivity of the location. "A large gaming facility at this location would have devastating impacts on the region," the supervisor said. "A more appropriate site must be found.”

And, said, New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele: "I've opposed the expansion of casino gaming throughout my career regardless of who the sponsor is. I voted against the constitutional amendment authorizing casinos in New York State. I have opposed casino gaming on the East End and will oppose this project."

Polite said traffic has been the chief concern expressed by locals. "We care about the safety of people just as much, if not more," he said. "We are going out of our way to make sure this is done safely and responsibly, with traffic and environmental impact studies," he said, adding that the Nation would work with local municipalities.

When asked if the Shinnecock Nation would consider a new location if a Class 3 facility could be built at another site, Polite said: "We're not ruling out anything, and would not rule out a facility closer to Manhattan."

Polite also said elected officials should direct their concerns about traffic and other issues to New York State. "New York State has not come to the table over the last 20 years to find a more suitable location. We will continue to address those issues in a responsible and professional manner."

Schneiderman said it was his hope that another location further west could be found.

Thiele added: "At the location proposed it is a traffic nightmare waiting to happen. There are other economic development alternatives that have been proposed that I have supported."

No architect has yet been selected but requests for proposals have been garnered, Polite said.

Reflecting on the years-long battle, Polite said: "We feel very convinced we've checked off the boxes. We have all of our ducks in a row this time and feel good about getting this over the finish line."