Overview
The NYSP Gaming Detail was established in 1993 with the start of Native American Gaming in the State. Currently, there are Gaming Detail Units throughout the state at four Native American casinos.
- Turning Stone Resort & Casino, operated by the Oneida Indian Nation in Verona, Oneida County. (unit formed 7/15/93, facility opened 7/16/93)
- Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, operated by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in Hogansburg, Franklin County. (unit formed 4/1/99, facility opened 4/5/99)
- Seneca Niagara Hotel & Resort, operated by the Seneca Nation of Indians in Niagara Falls, Niagara County. (unit formed 1/16/03, facility opened 12/31/02)
- Seneca Allegany Hotel & Resort, also operated by the Seneca Nation in Salamanca, Cattaraugus County. (unit formed 4/30/04, facility opened 5/01/04)
The Seneca Nation opened a third casino, the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, in the City of Buffalo, Erie County. At this time, the State Police Gaming Detail is providing a presence with Members assigned to the other Seneca facilities, while negotiation between the state and Seneca Nation are on-going.
Prior to each Gaming Detail unit being established, temporary fingerprinting details were created to perform fingerprinting from several weeks to several months prior to opening of each unit.
Gaming Detail Casino Units have a number of responsibilities, including, but not limited to: maintaining an on-site presence during all casino operating hours, seven days a week; performing both criminal and non-criminal investigations, with the majority involving background investigations required for all employees and vendors at the gaming facility. These background investigations are done at the request of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. The casino operator may not employ any employee or manager unless the Board has previously approved the individual.
The level of background check depends upon the applicants responsibilities at the casino, their degree of access and ability to influence gambling activities on the gaming floor.
At a minimum, all applicants are fingerprinted and must undergo a background investigation by the New York State Police-Gaming Detail. Enterprises or individuals wishing to conduct gaming-related business with a Class III gaming facility must be temporarily approved in advance by the Board and then undergo a thorough registration and licensing process. These range from sole proprietorships to publicly traded multi-national corporations. Each business applicant, and their principal officers and employees, must be fingerprinted and undergo an extensive background investigation by the Gaming Detail. At the conclusion of this background investigation, the Board reaches a decision whether the business entity is suitable to conduct business with a casino.
The Gaming Detail has established contacts throughout the country with gaming-related regulatory agencies. Several members of the unit have presented at training programs and acted as consultants to other gaming jurisdictions.