NY Casino News

After Cuomo announces his gambling deal, Bloomberg expresses skepticism about the benefits - Capital New York
“During his regular Friday morning radio appearance today, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said casinos almost never help the areas in which they are located, and suggested instead a Singapore model for legal gambling. He seemed to be drawing a distinction with Governor Andrew Cuomo's plan for "legitimate" casinos in New York.

New York is now one step closer to the legalization of casino gambling, which is a big part of the governor's big state-wide economic development strategy. It also plays nicely into the hands of Genting, the Malaysian gaming giant that has proposed building a $4 billion convention center at the Aqueduct racetrack in Queens, where it would, coincidentally, also like to expand its existing slot-machine warehouse to include table gaming.”

Foxwoods Casino: The Glory Days -
Forbes
“Just about 20 years ago a then-leaflet of a magazine called The Improper Bostoniansent me down to a place called “Foxwoods Casino” that had popped up in the tree-infested, cultural void that fills the gap between Boston and New York (note to the irony-impared: that is a joke, so stand down, Central Connecticut chambers of commerce and Brimfield Fair boosters).

It wasn’t famous then. It was less than a decade old, kind of exciting, but kind of not, a place still more associated with bingo halls and blue hair than what it was to become, one of the largest and most powerful casinos in the world and the prototype for dozens of others of its type across the U.S. (while still retaining the ambiance of the food court at The Danbury Fair Mall).”

Gov. Cuomo Succumbs - New York Times
“By agreeing to a deeply flawed deal with state lawmakers, Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave in to Albany’s secretive and undemocratic ways of doing business.Despite repeated promises that he would veto gerrymandered districts drawn by legislators, the governor broke that vow and quietly signed the law that will allow unfair legislative elections in New York for the next 10 years. By approving the Legislature’s districts, he has now made it far more difficult for the courts to revise these defective maps.

The other constitutional amendment — one that would allow as many as seven full-fledged casinos across the state — deserves even more public scrutiny. To change the Constitution, these two amendments must be passed again next year. After that, the state voters must approve them.”

Bryant: Three regions walk into a Casino… -
democratandchronicle.com
“Three regions of New York state walk into Casino Niagara, which sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. They step over some tumbleweed and sit down at the craps table.

Rochester: So where are you going to put your casino?
Adirondaks: I was thinking a spot on top of Mount Marcy.
Rochester: Nice! Gambling with a view.

Legislative deal may cut Batavia Downs out of New York’s Casino action
The Batavian
“It looks like Batavia Downs is a long shot to expand into a full-blown Vegas-style casino with table games and expanding gambling options.

The NYS Legislature took a big step yesterday toward opening up so-called racinos to more casino games, but capped the number of race tracks that can expand at seven. Western Regional OTB board member Dick Siebert told WBTA that he's very concerned that Batavia Downs is being excluded from the expansion.

“Buffalo Raceway and Batavia Downs are the closest raceways to the Senecas' casinos (in Niagara Falls and Allegany), and they’re the ones putting the heat on the state,” Siebert points out. “So I’ve got a strange but very sound feeling that we’re the two being targeted.”

Manhattan Casinos Are Not in the Cards - Gothamist
“The recent action out of Albany wasn't all about DNA databanks and pension reform. There was also much wheeling and dealing to bring Governor Andrew Cuomo's dream of non-Indian New York casinos closer to fruition. But even if gambling does get legalized here (and there are still many hoops to get through) don't expect to see a casino open in Times Square.

The plan currently moving forward would be allow up to seven Las Vegas-style casinos in the state but, thanks in part to
pressure from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver ("I don't want to see people going out for lunch during
work and losing a week's pay or a month's pay"), it won't include one in New York County. "All it's going to have is a maximum of seven," Silver said yesterday. "We'll deal with where, when and how next year."

Blais: Lake George’s casino opportunities still need consideration - Post Star
“The area’s most vocal proponent of casino gambling in Warren County said Friday the limited number of casinos allowed by the state’s proposed constitutional amendment could hurt Lake George’s chances of becoming a gambling center. But he also called for more research into the impacts such a facility could have on the local economy and culture.

State lawmakers Thursday moved toward a constitutional amendment for expanded, non-tribal casino gambling. The move could put the issue before voters in 2013. But the legislation would limit the number of new casinos to just seven statewide. Operators of the state’s racinos, including the Saratoga Casino and Raceway, immediately began making their cases for inclusion on the list, arguing they already have the infrastructure to switch over to full-blown casinos if the amendment is approved.

Casino Gambling Agreement Could Impact NY Real Estate -
Globest.com
“ALBANY-Faced with competition from New Jersey and Connecticut, the Empire State is placing its chips on the gaming industry. The New York State Legislature has introduced a landmark agreement to begin the process of amending the state’s constitution to legalize casino gambling, a move that could spur new commercial real estate development throughout the state – just not in Manhattan.

Both Gov. AndrewCuomo and assembly speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) have opposed the development of casinos in the borough, citing that casinos should be used as “regional redevelopment” tools in other areas of the state, media reports show.”

Betting on Casinos to Help Economy - WBNG
“Amid the legislative all-nighter this week that moved to settle several high-profile issues, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is hoping one signals jackpot for the Empire State's economy. Leaders at Tioga Downs are banking on Wednesday's deal on a constitutional amendment to build seven Vegas-style casinos in New York”.

State preps for amendment to allow casino gaming - adirondackdailyenterprise.com
“Gov. Andrew Cuomo is ready to roll the dice on casino gaming in New York, but some lawmakers from the North Country are wary of the plan. The deal struck earlier this week between state Legislative leaders and Cuomo will set
in motion the process necessary to amend the state Constitution to allow no more than seven privately owned commercial casinos to be established statewide. Cuomo said in a prepared statement that casinos could create thousands of jobs and promote tourism and economic growth.

"By taking these important first steps to legalize casinos we are finally confronting the reality that while New York is already in the gaming business, we need a real plan to regulate and capitalize on the industry," he said.

”New York lawmakers betting on casinos at yet to be named locations -
syracuse.com
“Syracuse, N.Y. -- With the addition of 17 words to the state Constitution, the New York State Legislature hopes to expand gambling across the state in a way not seen for more than a decade. If next year’s legislators and voters ultimately approve, New York will have seven more full-service casinos at locations yet to be named, but expected to
compete for dollars with existing casinos run by American Indian nations. New York, which already takes in more gambling revenues than any other state, joins the swelling ranks of states that are trying to close budget gaps.”

NYRA races to save horses after 17 fatalities over Aqueduct’s inner dirt track since Nov. 30 - NY Daily News

“Less will be more, in the opinion of New York Racing Association president Charles Hayward, for horses racing at
Aqueduct.

With 17 fatal breakdowns suffered over Aqueduct’s inner dirt track since Nov. 30, eight in the last 15 days of racing, NYRA will cut the purses in the cheaper claiming races, hoping to reduce the fatality rate. Of the 17 breakdowns, 13 have occurred in races in which the horses were running for a claiming price of $15,000 or less, the bottom of the barrel, but for purses upwards of $30,000. Those horses are more prone to fatal breakdowns, according to Hayward