Mangano Gambling on the Shinnecock

Nassau County and the Shinnecock nation are in stages of negotiations regarding a 40 acre plot of land that would be turned into the newest Native American owned casino in the tri-state area. The two parties are close to signing a Memorandum of Understanding to move forward negotiations to the state and federal levels.

(Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons)

The plot is located close to Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale and is part of the larger plan of revitalizing the Islanders franchise and stadium with what was once known as the Long Island Lighthouse Project.

Proponents have craved for a new -or at least renovated- Nassau Coliseum along with new hotels, as well as shopping and entertainment facilities that would compete directly with Roosevelt Field or anywhere else on the Island in size. Adding on a casino would only increase revenues, an estimated $2-3 Million per acre and another $30 Million annually.

Not to mention the whole project being given the go ahead much, much faster.

This is not something unexpected though. County Executive Mangano spoke of this less than a year ago, last summer as he asserted that everything could and should be on the table in order to bring down the crippling deficit the county is facing. Last June the Shinnecock Tribe of Suffolk County was recognized federally as a native American tribe.

None of this should be surprising anyone.

However, the partisan nature of not only just the county and island, but the state and federal levels could make for multiple overall outcomes: It could be fast tracked as a money maker by a bipartisan coalition just as easy as a bipartisan coalition could shoot down the project immediately. Just as likely would be the two sides digging into the trenches and arguing to no avail. Democrats would criticize the casino as degrading the community while Republicans would back their Exec and support the fiscally savvy move, even though they might be simultaneously compromising their morals.

Personally, I have mixed feelings, but it would save gas spent on those long trips to Atlantic City or Foxwoods.