A horse and driver warm up at Tioga Downs on May 3, and prior to the opening day of harness racing. (Photo by Wendy Post)
The questioning period fielded by the New York State Gaming Commission ended on April 27, with the only questions fielded being from Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y., who offered 16 questions in the first round of solicited questions to the Gaming Commission.
Although this isn’t a solid indication that Tioga Downs is the only bidder applying for the fourth license that was approved for applications in the Southern Tier, the players involved remain optimistic.
Gary Greenberg, minority owner of Vernon Downs, Tioga Downs’ sister track in Vernon, N.Y., recently stated, “The fact that no one else came forward with questions is a good sign.”
“It looks like the odds are in Tioga and Vernon Downs’ favor that no new bidders will apply for a casino in the Southern Tier, other than Tioga,” said Greenberg. “Everyone is keeping their fingers crossed.”
The next big date in this process is the July 6 Request For Applications (RFA) deadline from bidders.
The first round of questions was due on April 6 to the Gaming Commission, with Tioga asking 16 questions, and the second round was due on April 27, with no questions asked.
In the meantime, there are big stakes for both Vernon and Tioga relative to the application for this fourth casino license.
Tioga Downs is planning further expansions to include a hotel build, in addition to the capital improvements already made at the Nichols, N.Y. Racino. Tioga Downs subsidizes their sister track, Vernon Downs.
With the opening day of racing at Tioga Downs taking place the same day as the Kentucky Derby, they had a near record crowd, with attendance of 12,500, and $116,500 wagered.
At Vernon Downs, their opening Day was April 17; but Kentucky Derby Day, on May 3, was not much different with attendance of 4,450, and $123,390 wagered.
“It’s nice to see people come out and enjoy harness racing,” said Greenberg. “It would be a crime to ever see one or both tracks close.”
On July 30, 2013, Governor Cuomo signed into law The Upstate New York Gaming Economic Development Act of 2013 (“Act”). The Act authorized up to four Upstate destination gaming resorts with at least one gaming facility located in three regions.
On Dec. 17, and after a grueling and expensive process from 16 applicants, the Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) recommended only three licenses to Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor, owned by Capital Region Gaming, in Schenectady; The Montreign Resort Casino, in the town of Thompson in Sullivan County and operated by Empire Resorts for the region that encompasses the Catskills and Hudson Valley; and Lago Resort & Casino, in the town of Tyre, in Seneca County.
Following further appeals to award a license to the ‘true’ Southern Tier, the Gaming Commission adopted a recommendation from the GFLB to open the Southern Tier up for bidding on one more license.
Traditions at the Glen in Johnson City, N.Y. had been a contender, but dropped their application and partnered with Tioga Downs in support of their efforts.
The next date to watch for is July 6, when RFA’s from bidders are due to the Gaming Commission.
