VERONA, N.Y. (AP) - The Oneida Indian Nation says the state has no legal basis for pulling the plug on alcohol being served by caterers at the tribe's casino operations.

In an unexpected reversal of its previous position, the State Liquor Authority informed the tribe that it will no longer grant the catering permits that allow alcohol to be served at Turning Stone Casino and Resort unless the Oneidas prohibit hotel guests from brining their own liquor onto the property.

Tribal officials say such a move would cripple their business and ripple through the local economy.

The Oneidas say the SLA has issued plenty of thousands of alcohol permits to caterers working events at the casino properties, without the requirement that private guests be prohibited from bringing their own booze.

The tribe recently resumed its policy of allowing customers to bring alcohol to concerts, restaurants and hotel rooms at the resort. That policy had been suspended for three months while the nation tried unsuccessfully to get its own liquor licenses.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)