A top Long Island politician says preliminary talks have begun with an Indian tribe about opening a gambling casino near the dilapidated Nassau Coliseum.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano says he has asked the Shinnecock Indian Nation to consider the coliseum property among several sites for a possible casino.
The Shinnecocks are expecting final approval this spring for federal recognition. That's a prerequisite for any tribe that wants to run gaming facilities.
Mangano emphasized the talks are in the earliest stages. For several years, New York Islanders owner Charles Wang has been stymied in his bid to build a $3.7 billion development of the 77 acres surrounding the team's home at the coliseum.
Spokeswomen for Wang and the Shinnecock did not immediately comment.
