By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Casino opponents made their case Wednesday against plans for a Seneca Nation of Indians casino in Buffalo.
Representatives of the group "Citizens Against Casino Gambling in Erie County" appeared before the Common Council's Community Development Committee. The group's co-chair, Joel Rose, said he and other opponents sent the Council a message that a casino would have a devastating impact on Buffalo.
"The cost to families in the form of addiction, bankruptcy and crime from a casino is going to be a lot worse than imagined," Rose said. "We wanted to impress that upon the members of the committee."
Rose said a Seneca casino is not a foregone conclusion. He challenged area political leaders to make their case against one to the US Interior Department, which must sign off on the Seneca's plans. Failing that, Rose said they will seek relief from the courts.