NY Casinos News of the Week

Big wager, big questions at Aqueduct - Newsday
The greatest city in the world ought to have the largest and best convention center in the nation. But taxpayers shouldn't pay for it.If Genting Group, the Malaysia-based gambling behemoth, and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo can make that happen in Ozone Park, with Genting paying, great. If, as advertised, the plan is transparent and elevates the community -- while opening up the West Side of Manhattan to better uses by replacing the Javits Center -- there's reason to cheer it.

A Good Bet - New York Observer

“Yes, gambling is going on all around us, and nobody is shocked to hear about it. That’s why Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature were right to take a big step toward the construction of seven new casinos in the state. Simply put, if you don’t build them, they won’t come.

Thiele Opposes Casino Legalization in New York - The Sag Harbor Express

“Currently, New York State only allows gambling at Native American-run facilities, although companies are allowed to have video gaming at racetracks in Yonkers and Queens. This change in the state constitution would allow companies to operate seven public casinos in New York, although the state can only legalize casinos if two elected state legislatures adopt this amendment. This is the first time the legislature has voted on the amendment meaning a second vote will be held next year before casinos are legal in New York.

New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr., opposed the change in law. He noted the assembly passed this amendment with almost no information in terms of where the seven casinos would be situated, what rules they will follow or whether or not a municipality will be able to enact its own legislation to prevent a casino from being built in its community.

Gaming committee chair says lawmakers will discuss Meadowlands casino prospects this year - nj.com

“The chair of the state Assembly's oversight and gaming committee says hearings will be held this year on the prospects of bringing casino-style gambling to the Meadowlands.

"Hopefully in the very near future we'll be conducting hearings into the potential of having a casino in the Meadowlands vicinity, and I think we see some positive feedback on that," Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, D-Hoboken, told NJTV recently.

Ramos' comments breath some new life into the proposal, which seemed squashed earlier this year after a plan to create a 13-member commission of lawmakers to study the expansion of gaming outside of Atlantic City was abandoned.”

New York’s first full gaming legislature passed - Queens Courier

Senator Joseph Addabbo, a member of the Senate’s Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, released a statement following the announcement of the legislature’s passing. Although Addabbo was absent for this process, he supported the passage of New York State Gaming legislation.

“It is a step closer to having our residents vote on a referendum that could bring full gaming to the state,” said Addabbo. “It is a step closer for my constituents to have thousands of additional job opportunities at Resorts World. It is a step closer for our local communities, businesses, along with city and state governments to realize a greater potential for revenue growth.”

While Addabbo applauds this move forward, he advises that future maneuvers be done cautiously, utilizing community participation.

Assemblyman Oaks Reviews Legislature's Action - Finger Lakes Daily News

“The Legislature voted to add 17 words to the state constitution with the goal of legalizing commercial casino gambling. The amendment would allow non-Indian casino gambling at no more than seven facilities in yet unnamed locations. Before any of the casinos can be built, next year’s state Legislature must also adopt the measure, and then it would be voted upon by the public in a referendum.

Continuing the whirlwind pace in Albany, budget conference committees have begun meetings to work out differences between the Senate and Assembly budget resolutions and the governor’s $132.5 billion proposal. Significant progress is being made in negotiations making likely final 2012-13 state spending plan will be passed ahead of the April 1 deadline.””

State lawmakers tying up loose ends to successful but secretive session - Democrat and Chronicle

“One would have to go back a long way to find a year in which passage of New York’s state budget was an afterthought. And yet that’s exactly what it seems to be this year, both in terms of public interest and political participation.

Having gotten many of the thornier, big-ticket issues out of the way last week, state leaders are predicting they’ll easily meet the April 1 budget deadline despite a price tag that will come to somewhere around $132.5 billion.

This legislative efficiency would be worth cheering, were it not achieved through dead-of-night sessions by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders. While the results — pension reform, a redistricting deal, expansion of the state’s DNA database and steps toward legalized casino gambling — were staggering, the behind-the-scenes nature of the agreements was no less so.”

Cuomo creates the conditions for a casino ‘feeding frenzy,’ and that may be the point - Capital New York

“Gambling institutions and interest groups are stepping up their lobbying efforts after Governor Andrew Cuomo's successful first step toward legalization of casino gambling in New York, Jim Odato reports.

As part of last week’s legislative all-nighter, the legislature passed a bill allowing full-fledged casinos, complete with table games like blackjack and poker (complete with human dealers) in New York State. It's the first step in the three-step process required to amend the state constitution. The legislature also has to vote the same way next year, and then send it to the voters for a referendum.

The governor has cited as a rationale for changing the state constitution the peculiar fact that some electronic table gambling and electronic slots are legal in New York while regular gambling is not.”

Cuomo creates the conditions for a casino ‘feeding frenzy,’ and that may be the point - Capital New York
“Gambling institutions and interest groups are stepping up their lobbying efforts after Governor Andrew Cuomo's successful first step toward legalization of casino gambling in New York, Jim Odato reports.

As part of last week’s legislative all-nighter, the legislature passed a bill allowing full-fledged casinos, complete with table games like blackjack and poker (complete with human dealers) in New York State. It's the first step in the three-step process required to amend the state constitution. The legislature also has to vote the same way next year, and then send it to the voters for a referendum.

The governor has cited as a rationale for changing the state constitution the peculiar fact that some electronic table gambling and electronic slots are legal in New York while regular gambling is not.”

Musical chairs develops for seven casino slots Times Union

A slew of well-financed and influential groups are lining up to carve up, promote or kill a deal to allow for casinos in New York.

Big-money operators in Las Vegas, protectionist Indian nations and some of the largest companies in New York are engaged in strategies to push Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature one way or the other. For instance, the Oneida Nation, operators of Turning Stone, the longest-running casino in the state, just hired former Clinton-Gore operative Christopher Lehane, once named by the New York Times a master at political dark arts, to head up a new team to warn of oversaturation of the gambling market that could threaten jobs and economies. Lehane once worked for Cuomo's attorney general campaign.