VERONA – The ruling has come down from the Bureau of Indian Affairs that the 1993 compact that allows the Oneida Indian tribe to operate the Turning Stone Resort and Casino is, in fact, valid.

Oneida spokesman Mark Emery says the U-S Department of the Interior upheld the legality of the casino's 14-year-old gambling compact with the state of New York.

In an unprecedented step, the interior department had reconsidered its approval of the 1993 compact that allowed the tribe to operate the casino and resort complex. About 90 percent of the casino's employees are not Indians.

The Oneida Indian Nation was pleased with the decision, releasing the following statement Wednesday afternoon:

"The Oneida Nation and its People are pleased that the Department of Interior has decided not to withdraw its approval of the14 year old Oneida Nation gaming compact."

"This should put to rest for all time any question about the validity of the gaming compact. The state challenges should be no more. The uncertainty and anxiety experienced by our 5,000 employees and their families are over."

"Since those early days in 1993 when the State entered the compact, tens of millions of people have visited and had much fun at Turning Stone. Since those early days, the resort has expanded every year and is today a major destination resort with not only world class gaming, but also premier golf, entertainment, dining, spa facilities and accommodations."

"The Nation can now move forward and continue helping its People overcome generations of poverty, continue being the engine for the Central New York economy and continue growing the business and creating even more job opportunities."

" We hope the region and its elected leaders will now start building on the economic potential Indian gaming has for everyone."

The agency decided to review the Turning Stone compact after a series of court decisions ruled that the agreement was illegal. Subsequent talks between the tribe and the state to negotiate a new
agreement have ended in failure.

"Since its enactment in 1988, the IGRA's Tribal-State compacting process has succeeded in providing a framework for sovereign governments to reach agreements for their mutual benefit," said James E. Cason, associate deputy secretary of the interior.

"Challenges to an approved compact must then be made under the Administrative Procedure Act within 6 years of publication, in this case June 16, 1999," Cason said. "Since no one challenged the Secretary's decision in a timely manner or in a proper forum, the 1993 Compact continues to be in effect for purposes of the IGRA."

Nearly four-thousand workers at the Oneida Indian Nation's Turning Stone casino have been awaiting Thursday's decision from the U-S Department of Interior.

The Oneidas have a payroll of about 130 (m) million dollars.

Turning Stone attracts nearly five (m) million visitors a year. It includes a massive casino, three golf courses, three luxury hotels, and a convention center.

Stay tuned to WKTV and www.wktv.com for more details on this decision and what it means for the area.

Click on the video link to watch comments from Oneida Nation CEO, Ray Halbritter on his thoughts on the decision.