The Shinnecock Indian Nation is upping the ante on its proposed casino, trying its odds that it could win approval to build a Las Vegas-style gaming facility off of its Southampton territory.
Tribal leaders were among 31 entities that responded last month to a request for information from the New York State Gaming Commission to gauge interest in contracts for three Class III gaming facilities — full-fledged casinos with live dealers — that could be awarded next year for the downstate region. The development comes nearly a year after Shinnecock leaders announced their third bid to build a casino on tribal territory in Southampton, albeit a Class II gaming facility that is limited to slot machines and electronic gaming tables — no live dealers, same as Long Island’s only other casino, Jake’s 58 in Islandia.
