From left, Tioga Downs Owner Jeff Gural, Traditions at the Glen Owner Bill Walsh, and State Senator Tom Libous prepare for a conference on Friday, held at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. to offer information about the prospect of a fourth casino license for Tioga Downs, if awarded. (Photo by Wendy Post)
State Senator Tom Libous addresses guests at a conference on Friday, held at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. to offer support regarding the prospect of a fourth casino license being awarded to Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. Sitting at the table behind Senator Libous, from left, is Tioga Downs Owner Jeff Gural and Bill Walsh, owner of Traditions at the Glen in Johnson City, N.Y. (Photo by Wendy Post)
“Sometimes I feel like Rodney Dangerfield, I get no respect,” said Tioga Downs Owner Jeff Gural with a chuckle during a conference on Friday, held at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. in which dignitaries, as well as members from the Walsh family at Traditions at the Glen in Johnson City, N.Y. gathered to support and offer information about the prospect of a fourth casino license for Tioga Downs, if awarded.
On Dec. 17, 2014, the Southern Tier Region was delivered a large blow when the Gaming Commission’s Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) announced that Lago Resort & Casino in Tyre, N.Y. was recommended as the recipient of the Southern Tier’s casino gaming license, and that they could not substantiate awarding a fourth license in any of the regions competing.
With over 100 labor union workers, employees, guests, media, and dignitaries gathered at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. on Friday, Tioga Downs’ owner Jeff Gural first thanked Governor Cuomo for stepping in swiftly following the decision rendered by the GFLB by sending a letter requesting that a fourth license be considered in the Southern Tier region for a re-bid.
“I think he [Governor Cuomo] wanted it here,” said Gural of a full, casino gaming style license. “He came here after Proposition One passed,” said Gural of the law authorizing this style of casino gaming in New York.
Gural also thanked Senator Tom Libous (R-52) for also stepping up to the plate and making calls, swiftly, to the governor’s office following the Dec. 17 decision.
Also, in a twist of events, Bill Walsh and the Walsh family who had also applied for a gaming license at Traditions at the Glen decided to withdraw their plans, and agreed it would be better if they worked together to gain a license for the Southern Tier Region.
Tioga Downs Owner Jeff Gural, pictured, addressed guests during a conference on Friday, held at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. in which dignitaries, as well as members from the Walsh family from Traditions at the Glen in Johnson City, N.Y. gathered to offer information about the prospect of a fourth casino license for Tioga Downs, if awarded. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Gural noted that his first step is going to be to discover what was wrong with his application, and is anticipating a final report from commission officials that should be released in two weeks.
“Once we find out what we were lacking,” Gural added, “we will follow through.”
Some of the extra amenities that Gural plans to include in the next application process will be restaurants, miniature golf, an additional casino bar and entertainment slide, all in addition to the already planned 136-room hotel build with spa, indoor pool, hot tub and gym.
“At the end of the day, we are into a $200 million project,” said Gural, adding that he is committed to bringing the license to Tioga Downs.
In addition to his commitment to Tioga Downs, Gary A. Greenberg, minority owner of Vernon Downs, a track in Vernon, N.Y. that is subsidized by Tioga Downs, was recently notified by Jeff Gural that Vernon Downs will not close, and will not be sold — despite earlier talks that Vernon Downs could be at risk if a gaming license was not awarded to Tioga Downs.
“He will continue to subsidize Vernon Downs, and the track will be open for business as usual for years to come,” added Greenberg, who also noted that this was great news.
In another major announcement on Friday, Gural noted that he planned to add another $1 million to his charitable fund that injects dollars into the community. Much of these funds assist the food bank, local fire department, and especially local veterans.
“This will be annually,” said Gural, “not just one time.”
Gural also talked of readiness and hiring capacity.
“We’re prepared to hire over six hundred and fifty employees in the next six months,” Gural stated. During their busy racing season, he noted, they would have 1,100 to 1,200 jobs at the casino, in addition to the horsemen who also spend their dollars within the community and region.
Ultimately, Gural felt optimistic about gaining the license, and stated that they’re not just going to let this [the fourth gaming license] sit on a shelf.
Speaking briefly as well on Friday, Bill Walsh, owner of Traditions at the Glen in Johnson City, N.Y. stated that he was excited about the prospect of the Southern Tier receiving a license.
“I’m excited, and I’m sure that he [Jeff Gural] will put something together that will benefit everyone,” stated Walsh.
State Senator Tom Libous, who was also present at Friday’s conference, addressed guests and dignitaries, stating, “We need to move forward now.”
Senator Libous talked about the dollars that the Walsh family invested in the community in Broome County when they restored the former Watson Homestead, and then spoke of Jeff Gural’s investments.
“He’s not a corporation,” Libous said of Gural.
Libous added, “He’s a person with a damn big heart.”
To the commission, Libous wanted to send a message, stating, “We are people, we need this license, and we need these jobs here.”
Libous also thanked Governor Cuomo for reaching out to support the Southern Tier for this license.
As for competition, Gural noted that he knows the other competitors who lost their bids for a gaming license on Dec. 17, some personally, but as of this date does not know of anyone else coming in to apply in the Southern Tier.
Others who spoke at the conference included State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Chris Friend from the 124th District, and Assemblywoman Donna Lapardo from the 123rd District.
