Shinnecock Nation unveils plans for new Hamptons casino

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — After a decades-long fight for economic parity, the Shinnecock Indian Nation outlined its plans Wednesday for a casino on tribal land in Southampton.

The project, called Shinnecock Casino Hamptons, has been a longtime dream, tribal members said. “We've been at this for 20 years,” Shinnecock Tribal Chairman Bryan Polite said.

Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on 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 approximately 18 to 24 months after operations begin. 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 in the East End, Polite said.

“As we have seen with members of tribal nations, casinos provide an opportunity to remove our members from adversity,” said the Shinnecock Board of Commissioners. “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 have been filed for decades. We have tried to resolve these issues over the past decade by proposing to find more suitable locations on Long Island, but were rejected. We waited long enough and decided to proceed here in 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 connection with Tri-State Partners to help build and operate the casino. the Seminole tribe has also offered 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 out of the poverty they live in today,” said Tri-State Partner and CEO Jack Morris. “This will be a property that Long Islanders will enjoy visiting while enabling the Shinnecock Nation to take advantage of opportunities that other members of Native American nations have taken advantage of.”

Administrators said they believe the casino will help boost year-round tourism in the East End.

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

“We're starting with the casino, but we're also looking at multiple options for additional out-of-state land acquisitions, including potential development of waterfront properties and hotels, which are lacking on the east end of Long Island,” Morris said.

Managers said that while they are “laser focused” on the Southampton casino, it will be the first of a series of facilities they hope to build in New York. Currently, plans are only for the New York casinos, but no proposal is off the proverbial table, Polite said.

“At a time when we see our country recognizing the rights of all its citizens, we hope this extends to some of New York's earliest residents, the members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation,” 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 the loss,” Polite said.

Polite said that since 1640, the Shinnecock Nation has reached out to Southampton as early settlers, but the tribe has had to fight against economic decline. Despite being unfairly maligned, we are still here,” he said. “The story of the Shinnecock Nation is a story of struggle and perseverance.”

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

Tribal Administrator Germain Smith spoke of the need for further educational opportunities for Shinnecock children and said the Covid crisis has widened the gap between children living on the reservation and others in the Southampton area.

“Shinnecock's financial efforts will help fill many of these gaps,” he said. “It is time for the Shinnecock nation to take its rightful place in society and rise up.”

Asked how the Shinnecock Nation felt about starting the casino before other casinos were licensed by New York State, Polite said it was “very important to get up and running before the market was 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 voiced their opposition to the plan.

“I am completely opposed to the casino development at the proposed location,” said Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. “While I respect the sovereignty of the Shinnecock Nation in developing reservation property, I cannot think of a worse location to build a casino. Montauk Highway, where the casino is proposed, is already backed up with morning and afternoon traffic.” .

Schneiderman said he also had significant concerns about the environmental sensitivity of the site. “A large gaming facility at this location would have a devastating effect on the area,” the supervisor said. “A more suitable location must be found.”

And, said New York State Rep. Fred Thiele: “I have opposed the expansion of casino gaming my entire career, regardless of who the sponsor is. I voted against the constitutional amendment authorizing casinos in her state New York. I have opposed casino gambling in the East End and will oppose this project.”

Polite said traffic was the main concern expressed by locals. “We care about people's safety just as much, if not more,” he said. “We are making every effort to ensure that this is done safely and responsibly, with traffic and environmental impact studies,” he said, adding that the Nation will work with local municipalities.

When asked if the Shinnecock Nation would consider a new site if a Class 3 facility could be built in another location, Polite said, “We're not ruling anything out, and we're not ruling 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 in 20 years to find a more appropriate location. We will continue to address these issues in a responsible and professional manner.”

Schneiderman said he hoped another site could be found further west.

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

An architect has not been selected yet, but requests for proposals have been collected, Polite said.

Reflecting on the years-long battle, Polite said: “We feel very confident that we've checked the boxes. We've got all our ducks in a row this time and it feels good to get it across the finish line.”