"Pay them off. Money is the name of the game."
Well, yes.
But the money payoff here is not a lump sum.
It is the operating revenue from a casino in the Hamptons.
That is what the Indians want, and if they have a treaty claim (that is their problem, in this case) they will get it.
Without a treaty, not being a federally recognized tribe, they stand a good chance of getting closed out and losing - but only for that reason. Of course, they could GET recognized by the feds, by a court order especially.
Paying them money won't work by itself.
Grant them the casino right and they will go away.
I can visualize Hitlery who is up for re-election will author a bill just for recognition of this tribe. She's smacking her hands together in anticipation of all the votes she'll receive.