The New York State Gaming Commission in December granted licenses for the .3 billion Montreign Resort Casino in Sullivan County, the 0 million Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady, and the 5 million Lago Resort & Casino in Seneca.
“These projects will create thousands of jobs, bring much-needed economic development to long-stressed communities, and drive revenue to support schools and local governments,” Commission Executive Director Robert Williams said.
Although the three gaming licenses were granted, at least one opponent plans a legal challenge.
The Turning Stone Casino, which is located less than 100 miles from Tyre, says it will challenge the casino licenses, which it says were hastily and improperly issued.
Turning Stone officials say the new casinos only will harm existing operations and communities by taking business and jobs away from them, resulting in zero net economic gain for the region. The entire purpose of the proposed casinos is to help and not harm local communities, Turning Stone claims.
Turning Stone is operated by the Oneida Indian Nation, which recently teamed with Casino-Free Tyre to oppose the Lago Resort & Casino, which both groups say will harm existing gaming operations and local communities.
The groups say at least half the money taken in by the new casinos will come from existing gaming operations, and that means local communities will lose jobs, rather than benefit from the new casinos.
State Senator Joseph Griffo joined the Oneida Nation and other in opposing the new casinos, saying they just saturate the current market without providing a significant economic benefit for the entire region.
“Not every region is going to be able to sustain the job levels they wanted or have,” Griffo said.
Turning stone officials said they expect to file a formal legal challenge immediately and name the New York State Gaming Commission as defendant.
Despite legal challenges, the gaming operators and supporters continue moving forward with their opening plans. The Lago Resort & Casino received a boost from the Seneca County Board of Supervisors, which in December approved a resolution affirming their support for the casino in Tyre.
The board called on opponents to stand down and allow the casino project to proceed, which would the board says will generate much needed local revenues and create many new jobs.
The board also approved creating a joint marketing campaign to promote the upstate gaming facilities, which they say will boost local tax revenues, while also stimulating the local economy.
Meanwhile, the newly expanded Tioga Downs casino already started adding the 445 new staff it says are needed to run the expanded casino, once New York gaming regulators issue a much-anticipated license. State regulators approved the site, but have not granted a final license, while awaiting results of background checks.
In the meantime, the casino is preparing for its planned July 1 opening, and is hiring table games dealers for blackjack and poker, among other positions. The casino isn’t requiring experienced dealers and will provide training for new dealers.
The table games dealer positions are the most popular, due to the potential for tips, but other positions also are being filled, including surveillance, food and beverage, security, various restaurant positions, and others.
Long Island VLTs
If state lawmakers allow it, Nassau Regional Off-Track Betting will build an electronic gambling parlor at Belmont Park.
Nassau on December 29 announced its plans to build a 100,000-square-foot electronic gambling parlor along the western grandstand at state-operated Belmont Park.
The company says it is working with local officials to ensure a positive economic impact from the expanded gaming that will support local public services.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano already included $20 million in gaming revenues in the county’s 2016 budget, and he said he supports placing electronic betting terminals at Belmont Park, which he says is “underutilized.”
Although the racetrack has significant support for its proposed gaming expansion, local opponents say it would increase local traffic and crime and strain local public services, while having no significant impact on the local economy.
The proposed expansion would cost about $75 million and provide 30,000 square feet of gaming pace, plus another 70,000 square feet for a simulcast area, restaurants, a food court, and offices.
