Given New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer's support for casino gambling in the Catskills, it is practically imminent that he will be giving his signed concurrence validating prior environmental approvals to build a casino at Monticello Gaming and Raceway, and thus moving the measure onto its final stage with the Secretary of the Interior. In fact, a spokeswoman for Governor Spitzer said his office is optimistic he will be giving his formal approval to allow the Mohawk Indian Tribe to build the proposed casino.

The $600 million proposal had previously been given clearance by environmental agencies in December of last year. Governor Pataki now has the responsibility to amend gambling compacts with the Mohawks that, among many things, would work out a gambling revenue sharing deal. What is unique about this case is that Pataki will be giving the Mohawks off-reservation state land that will be taken into trust. This has only been done three other times, none of which took place in New York before.

After Spitzer works out the finer details, it will only take a signature from Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne, to give the Mohawks the official green light to begin building their proposed casino at Monticello Gaming and Raceway. Located in the heart of the Sullivan County Catskills vacationland (and only a ninety minute drive from New York City), the raceway certainly makes for an ideal location for both locals and vacationers.

The Catskills community has expressed their support of building a casino, although they were cautious about earlier plans to bring some five casinos into the Catskills. Starting off with just one in an area that is already familiar with the betting business is certainly a good start. Considering the tourism industry has lagged in the Catskills following 9/11, the new hope is that a casino would help create more jobs, stimulate the Catskills economy, draw more tourists, and in the end, benefit the State of New York as a whole.