Fifteen years ago, the Iroquois nation sued New York over a 1780s treaty that had given away two million upstate acres, roughly the area between Albany and Buffalo. The Indians claimed that the treaty was illegal and wanted compensation for their loss; preferably cash, as having to take back places like Utica and Auburn would not be pleasant. At the time I was a college student upstate, taking a hardcore history course on New York in the 1780s. And we history majors were on the side of the underdogs. When our professor appeared as a star witness and saved the day for the state, we were mortified. Theater majors might have hanged him.

I empathize with the Indian nations of New York and their efforts to finally get something back for the state that was conquered away from them. Specifically, if anyone is going to make money in the unseemly casino gambling business, I like the idea that it will be the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. There's already a casino near Syracuse, and it seems that closer ones are coming.

Just this week, the developer of a proposed Mohawk-owned casino in Greene County announced that they've optioned a casino site off Thruway exit 21. The person who announced this, the developer's local representative, also happens to be the chairman of the Green County Republican Committee. This is how it works in the gazillion-dollar gambling industry. For two years, I've heard rumors about cash deals in the legislature, something too brazen even for the tobacco and insurance lobbyists in my years as a capitol staffer. A Monticello site in Sullivan County is already being prepared. Three other Indian tribes are planning to enter the business.

The ongoing 30-year battle to allow legalized casinos in New York's more depressed areas, which at one point included Long Beach, is not over. Fights featuring Governor vs. Legislature, Senate vs. Assembly and even restaurants vs. motels are not resolved. In the meantime, the governor is moving ahead with casino agreements. Park Place Entertainment, the world's largest casino operator, is waving a billion dollars in potential investment in front of state lawmakers. Park Place is also sponsoring controversial legislation that would increase the legislature's role in casino decisions, but would require only a local countrywide referendum to allow an Indian-sponsored casino to be built.

A close friend of mine writes for a Hudson Valley-Catskills paper that seems to bubble with the gambling news. They, and the people of Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Saratoga are being sold a bill of goods.

Park Place has assured the Trump people that the Sullivan County casino won't bother Atlantic City blood money trade, because they'll concentrate on developing new markets. New gamblers, new tragedies, new addicts. Greene County motels and hotels have been bought off by a promise that the casino won't have overnight accommodations, only food courts and restaurants.

Atlantic City, New Orleans and a lot of other places have learned the hard way: Combining vices like gambling, drinking and gluttony will draw people away from the nearby mom 'n pop businesses they thought would flourish. Gamblers surrounded by buffet bars and gourmet fare are not going to stop off at the greasy spoons of Route 17.

When the first OTB teletheater opened in Albany, there was a fine string of local stores and eateries nearby. Not long after, only McDonalds and the city's sole strip club were left. But legislators had a great new spot for fund raisers.