IRVING, N.Y. — The Seneca Nation has agreed to begin talks on a new gaming compact, aimed at ensuring the long-term operations of its casinos in New York.

Those include the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, Seneca Buffalo Creek in Buffalo and Seneca Allegany in Salamanca.

The Seneca Nation last agreed to a compact regarding casino revenue payments with New York State in 2002. It's set to expire next year.

The Senecas stopped making payments in 2017, claiming the compact only covered 14 years of that revenue sharing.

The Seneca Nation says it will make payments to the state on revenue held in escrow throughout their dispute over casino revenue.

Last February, a federal appeals court affirmed the Seneca Nation owes about $435 million to the state — $150 million of that money is meant for local governments in the casinos' host cities.

Matthew Pagels, the Seneca Nation president, released a statement, saying in part:

"Rather than pursue continued legal action, we believe we can now best address our concerns in a Compact with greater clarity on our obligations, and, as important, the obligations New York State has to the Nation in return.

"Furthermore, we want to see the momentum generated by our investments and operations continue to grow, and we look forward to building on our strong relationships with our neighbors in Niagara Falls, Salamanca and Buffalo. Now is the time to move forward."

Gov. Kathy Hochul also released a statement, saying:

"I am pleased to have reached an agreement for the resumption of payments on terms that serve both the State and the Nation and that benefit Western New York communities, and I look forward to beginning discussions toward a new compact."