At one point it was thought the Islanders and Shinnecok were going to join forces on the Belmont site, but with Cuomo's partnership with Genting that option has gone out the window. Genting wants at least a 25 mile non compete with their casino at Aqueduct in exchange for the 4 billion dollar convention center they would build New York City. The question now is weather or not the Islanders could make that rumor partnership and then move it to Suffolk County.
The tribe, with backing from state and Nassau County Republican lawmakers, spent much of last year trying to build support for a casino at Belmont Park racetrack. But lawmakers abandoned the Belmont plan after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo threw his support behind Genting, a Malaysia-based casino developer that wants to build a full casino at its Aqueduct Racino.
Now, sources say, the Shinnecocks and their financial backers at Gateway Casino Resorts are focusing on Suffolk County -- an imperative given a 25-mile exclusion zone Genting is expecting to be granted for any full-scale casino at Aqueduct.http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/sources-see-possible-casino-site-in-yaphank-1.3610566
Numerous Suffolk sites have been considered, including county and private land near Pilgrim State Psychiatric Hospital in Brentwood, but the Yaphank parcel has several advantages. It is contiguous to the rail spur, providing a transportation hub for potential casino-goers, and also is on the service road of the Long Island Expressway.
A spokeswoman for New York Rail declined to comment. The Shinnecock Indian Nation wouldn't discuss locations for a casino until they are finalized.
Vanessa Baird-Streeter, spokeswoman for Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, could not be reached for comment.
Its a long shot, but it seems with Suffolk deficit a large private development would be needed for the Islanders to get an arena in Suffolk at this point
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