Hearing Cancellation Means Judge Ready To Rule On Casino Lawsuit

A hearing that was scheduled for August 21st to hear arguments from both sides in the issue of the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino issue has been canceled. Federal Judge William Skretny has decided he has enough information to rule in the case.

It has not yet been determined whether the cancellation of the hearing will be beneficial for the Seneca tribe, but what it does mean is that the judge has heard enough, and is ready to rule.

"What the judge is saying is he's read the briefs, he understands the cases, he doesn't need anymore oral arguments so he's just going to rule," said casino opponent Joel Rose.

Rose represents Citizens Against Gambling in Erie County. The group wants the judge to uphold and enforce a previous ruling by the court which stated that gambling could not be permitted on the Seneca's land in Buffalo's Cobblestone District.

The group is being opposed in court by the United States Government. They want the case transferred out of Skretny's court and into the National Indian Gaming Commission.

The ironic part to this case is that the casino-hotel is already being built. Over forty percent for the project has already been put in place. A spokesman for the casino says that construction will continue until a ruling comes down.

August 18, 2008
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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