Seneca Nation announces reopening dates for gaming properties

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Seneca Nation has approved reopening plans for its Class II and Class III gaming operations, clearing the way for thousands of local employees to begin returning to work and contributing to Western New York’s economic recovery.

Seneca Gaming Corporation will reopen Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino on Thursday, 18 June. Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino will reopen the following week on Thursday, 25 June. Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel will then reopen on Thursday, 2 July. Seneca Gaming & Entertainment will reopen the Nation’s Class II gaming properties in Irving, Salamanca and Cuba on Thursday, 18 June.

The Nation ordered the temporary suspension of all gaming operations on 16 March as part of the widespread response to the novel coronavirus pandemic undertaken across all Seneca territories.
“After being closed for nearly three months, we are now ready to move forward with the safe, responsible and systematic reopening of our gaming facilities,” said Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong, Sr. “This is a signature moment in our region’s economic recovery from the circumstances that arose as a result of this unprecedented public health crisis.”

All of the facilities will open at reduced capacity, with strict protocols in place to protect the health and safety of guests and workers. Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino will also reopen at reduced capacity and will initially operate with a curtailed schedule. Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino and Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino will follow the same procedures upon their reopening. The Seneca Gaming & Entertainment facilities in Irving, Salamanca, and Cuba, which offer video gaming machines, will also begin operations with a reduced number of available machines.

Seneca Gaming Corporation is expected to announce operational details for the reopening process tomorrow – including specific hours of operation, comprehensive safety measures and protocols, and information on which areas of the operations will initially reopen to guests.

The Seneca Nation’s decision to reopen will provide a significant and much-needed boost to the local economy. The Seneca Nation and its enterprises are among the largest employers in Western New York. Combined, the Nation’s gaming operations employ approximately 4,000 workers from across the region and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in local payroll and economic activity with vendors both locally and statewide.

“The Seneca Nation’s economic role extends far beyond just our territories,” President Armstrong added. “We are unique in that, as a government, we inhabit an important and impactful business and economic position locally, regionally and statewide. Our business enterprises directly employ thousands of people throughout Western New York, many of whom are non-Senecas, and impact thousands more through the hundreds of millions of dollars we spend with vendors, suppliers and business partners. Those dollars are pumped right back into the local and regional economies, in addition to the crucial support they provide to our Nation and the Seneca people.”