The Daily Review
On Tuesday, New York State voters had an opportunity to vote on Proposition One, an amendment that will allow casino gaming in New York State. According to New York State’s Governor Andrew Cuomo, who visited the Southern Tier on Wednesday and following the passage of Proposition One, the approved casino gaming amendment has the potential to bring millions of dollars in new revenue to school districts and local governments as well as provide property tax relief and boost tourism and economic development in communities across the state.
In a statement, Governor Cuomo further defined the benefits of the passage of this proposal, stating, “The passage of Proposal One is a big win for local governments, school districts and taxpayers in the Eastern Southern Tier region. Yesterday’s vote by New Yorkers to authorize casino gaming will keep hundreds of millions of dollars spent each year in neighboring states right here in New York, providing more revenue for local schools, relief for property taxpayers and countless jobs for New Yorkers, while bringing proper regulation to the industry.”
Governor Cuomo also talked about the passage of this proposition in relation to agreements with Native American tribes in New York. Governor Cuomo stated, in a release received Wednesday, “This passage also builds on the landmark agreements we reached with Native American tribes this year, ending expensive court battles and unnecessary discord and restoring hundreds of millions of dollars to local governments.”
At Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, N.Y., no other was more pleased with the passage of Proposition One than the Casino’s owner, Jeff Gural, who also serves as Chairman and CEO of American Racing and Entertainment.
In a statement received by Gural on Wednesday, he wished to thank the voters of the Southern Tier for their overwhelming support toward the passage of Proposition One in Tuesday’s election, allowing for four full-scale casinos in Upstate New York.
Tioga Downs will be applying for a license in the Southern Tier region, and has plans to build a new 136 room hotel, event center, and expand the gaming floor that will include table games and a poker room.
On Thursday morning, Gural noted in a release, a preliminary preparation for the 275 space parking garage will begin and the groundbreaking will follow on Nov. 18. According to Gural, the expanded facility will provide over 600 construction jobs and 200 permanent jobs running the Casino and hotel complex.
“We are very, very pleased with the passing of Proposition One,” said Gural. He continued, “The results were overwhelming, especially from our surrounding counties that understand that legalizing full gaming will create jobs in the Southern Tier and have a positive impact on the economy. Tioga Downs Casino has been a good neighbor and will continue to give back to the Southern Tier.”
Senator Tom Libous (R-52), who worked tirelessly in Albany to get this amendment on the ballot, offered a statement as well on the passage of Proposition One.
Senator Tom Libous stated, “Tuesday’s vote to legalize casino gaming will provide a real economic boost to our community and will help Broome and Tioga Counties become a destination point for tourism and economic activity. Casino gaming means new jobs, new opportunity and new funding streams for our schools.”
To celebrate with the community, Tioga Downs Casino will be holding a special day of activities and offers to celebrate the passage of Proposition One, which will include the groundbreaking for the new parking structure and a special $5 buffet for the public all day in the County Fair Buffet. The festivities will be held on Monday, Nov. 18, with the groundbreaking scheduled for 2 p.m. at Tioga Downs. There will be free cake for all customers following the ribbon cutting.