The Saratoga Casino and Raceway is undergoing a million expansion and rebranding, which includes a new hotel and change of name.
The casino is adding a 117-room hotel, steakhouse, spa, pool, and looking to create a new brand operating under a new name.
Saratoga Casino spokeswoman Rita Cox says the casino is looking to enhance the experience for visitors by providing more than a racetrack and 1,700 video lottery terminals, including electronic blackjack and poker.
The rebranding efforts are designed to help the casino better compete with the Rivers Casino & Resort, which is under construction in nearby Schenectady. The Rivers Casino will have fewer slot machines, but it will have live blackjack and poker tables, giving it a competitive advantage over the Saratoga Casino.
The Saratoga is counting on its rebranding efforts and enhanced experience, plus it nearness to large population centers, to overcome its lack of live blackjack and poker, and retain its customer base.
Some 25 miles distant in Schenectady, Rush Street Gaming said it won’t erect an 80-foot pylon sign at an entrance to its $330 million Rivers Casino & Resort, which is slated to open next year, with 1,100 slots, 63 table games, and a hotel.
Local officials gave permission to put up the sign at the $330 million casino’s Front Street entrance, but the decision proved controversial, with opponents calling it an eyesore. Rush Street Gaming did not include the sign in its latest plans.
“Although the city has approved a pylon sign, it is not currently included in this signage package,” Rush Street Gaming said in a release.
“It has been our goal throughout the design process to solicit feedback from all stakeholders and apply thoughtful consideration to the design of the facility in order to bring the best possible development to the city of Schenectady.”
The casino is part of Rush Street Gaming’s $480 million Rivers Casino and Resort at Mohawk Harbor, which is to include two hotels, condominiums, a lagoon, boat slips, and more. The 150,000-square-foot casino would include an entertainment lounge, steakhouse, spa, and other amenities.
