Catskill Casinos: The Sudden Lack Of Progress Is A Bitter Blow.

For opponents of gambling in the Catskills, the derailing of the quest for casinos – at least for now – was a lucky break. But for many who view gambling as the last, best chance to restore this once-thriving resort region to prosperity, the sudden lack of progress was a bitter blow.
The impasse has meant frustration for the town officials who have been waiting for a huge new source of revenue, as well as real estate developers who have already bought large tracts of land and the Indian tribe members who want a piece of the action.

The prospect of casinos in the Catskills is certainly not dead. Legislators from both parties have said that they could take up the issue again.

Some accused the Senate majority leader, Joseph L. Bruno, of refusing to allow only one casino because his son, Kenneth, was a consultant for the Wisconsin Oneidas, one of the two tribes that were cut from the Assembly’s and governor’s proposal.