New York Governor Pushes For Four Upstate CasinosGov. Andrew Cuomo Hopes To Bring Casinos To Upstate New York |
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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has submitted a bill to the State Legislature that would divide upstate New York into seven different non-Indian land regions and allow one resort casino to be developed in four of the regions.
Originally, Cuomo pushed for three casinos, but he has since upped the ante to four. If the bill is approved, the new casinos will be protected from downstate competition for the first five years of operation.
It’s unclear where the casinos will be built, but the areas are limited to the Catskills tribe land located in Hudson Valley, the southern tier and the capital region. Cuomo is confident the Catskills tribe’s weak economy will benefit and grow from the casino revenue.
Senator John Bonacic and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther stand alongside Cuomo, however Bonacic wants five casinos.
“I am hopeful the governor can consider authorizing five casinos upstate now. I fear if he does not, it will leave it too open-ended, allowing casino naysayers and those who play to NIMBYism more fodder to oppose to the referendum,” Bonacic said.
However, the New York Gaming Association is not on board. They represent the slot parlors and fear it would put the parlors out of business. The slot parlors generate approximately $1 billion each year in gaming tax revenue for education.
To compensate for the impending loss, Cuomo has proposed a 25 percent tax rate on the full-scale casinos.
Whether the legislature chooses to adopt three, four or five casinos, it will need the Governor’s signature. Then it is up to the voters in November.
For more news from New York, check out its state page.
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