After 20 years of operation, many of them fraught with conflict, New York State and the Seneca Nation of Indians will soon take up the work of negotiating a casino agreement to succeed the one that will expire in late 2023. It’s likely to be difficult, but that doesn’t mean it has to be ugly and, in that regard, the Senecas are making a pragmatic start.

Believing – probably correctly – that many Western New Yorkers are unaware of the economic significance of the Nation’s three casinos, the Senecas have begun a promotional blitz to state their case. To the extent that it builds bridges between the Senecas and the larger community, it’s a worthwhile effort.