The Shinnecock Nation formally requested federal recognition from the United States government in 1978 and received it in 2010.

This enabled the tribe to move forward with its plans for a casino; it has already been discussing this with the state and local governments.

The Nation has been in discussion with state and local officials on plans to build a Class III casino, as it wants to generate revenues for economic development and welfare for the tribe.

The tribe and other parties prefer a location out of the Hamptons area, which is already bogged down with heavy traffic during the summer season, when the population of the Town of Southampton doubles.

[5] In addition, they would face heavy competition on eastern Long Island, as New Yorkers make up 30% of the customers of the highly successful Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casinos in Connecticut.