ALBANY, NY – New York Governor Kathy Hochul said a portion of the casino fund that was donated to the state as part of the gaming pact with the Seneca Nation of Indians will be used to build casinos. new football stadium for the Buffalo Bills.

The Council of the Seneca Nation voted Monday to approve the transfer of funds that would allow the Nation to make the payment of $564,842,625.20 to the state. This amount covers the period from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021.

“Since the beginning of my administration, I have been committed to resolving this dispute and securing the funds owed to state and local governments. The courts have always ruled in favor of the state, but no payment has been made. When I took office, I asked to negotiate in good faith, and we encountered all the obstacles. I am happy to have finally found a solution, and the full $564 million has been received by New York.

“These funds were generated in Western New York, and I’m directing the state’s share of more than $418 million toward the new Buffalo Bills Stadium. This will ensure the Bills stay in New York State and will support 10,000 construction jobs, with the remaining funds going directly to counties and cities in Western New York and reinvested to support the local economy and communities.

“I thank President Pagels and the leaders of the Nation for delivering on their commitment to the people of New York.”

Seneca Nation bank accounts were frozen over the weekend at the request of New York State, which had given the Senecas until March 14 to make a payment to the state in accordance with the pact. casino games.

The president of Seneca Nation said over the weekend that a subpoena served by the state impacts the bank accounts of Seneca Nation and Seneca Gaming Corporation, so they cannot make any banking transactions.

“The Seneca Nation simply could not stand idly by as New York State intentionally attempted to hold hostage the Seneca people and thousands of western New Yorkers,” the nation’s president said. Seneca, Matthew Pagels, in a published statement. “The state may think it appropriate to force a senior to go without diabetes medication or a family, already struggling with the financial impacts of the pandemic, to go without a paycheck. The Seneca Nation will not let this happen. We will not let New York State strangle the people of Western New York.

It’s the latest move in the two sides’ long-running dispute over hundreds of millions of dollars in casino revenue, which the state claims the Senecas still owe.