Tioga Downs management, employees and guests loaded and completely filled a truck with boxes, which departed Tioga Downs at approximately 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 2 for Schenectady, carrying the RFA package for the fourth gaming license in New York State.
At a press conference held on Thursday morning, July 2, Jeff Gural, CEO of American Racing and Entertainment and owner of Tioga Downs, along with Tioga Downs’ management and employees gathered to mark the official departure of the Request for Application (RFA) package which was sent off to Schenectady for the fourth gaming license in New York State.
Linn Redder, vice president of marketing for Tioga Downs, opened the press conference by stating, “It’s another exciting day for us here with the application that will be submitted to Schenectady.” Redder also commented that a motor coach style bus would transport several employees to Schenectady to show their support for Tioga Downs.
Tioga County’s Legislative Chair, Marte Sauerbrey, shared her thoughts regarding the casino license, “On behalf of the County, we fully support Tioga Downs. We’re very excited, and this is the place to have it.”
Jeff Gural, CEO of American Racing and Entertainment and owner of Tioga Downs, addresses the media during a press conference on Thursday, July 2, regarding the RFA package that was sent out for the fourth gaming license in New York State.
In March, the New York State Gaming Commission approved a fourth license to be awarded for a Southern Tier Casino. The only applicant to announce they will be applying for this license was Gural, owner of Vernon Downs in Vernon, N.Y.; Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y.; and Meadowlands Race Track in New Jersey.
Traditions at the Glen in Johnson City, N.Y. had been a contender, although dropped their application and collaborated with Tioga Downs in support of their efforts.
Gural opened the July 2 press conference by stating, “This is a great day and a game-changer for the Southern Tier and Tioga County. I think this will become a destination resort and a major contributor to jobs in the area. I will really be surprised if we don’t win this time.”
Gural shared that between 400-500 people would be hired within two months after receiving the license, and that the livelihood of many people rely on Tioga Downs to remain strong, including Vernon Downs, which receives subsidies from the Nichols track. Both regions will face economic and financial distress if Tioga Downs is not awarded the fourth casino license.
The RFA process, due in the hands of the Gaming Commission by July 6, included the application and re-submission for the license. Tioga Downs’ management, employees and guests loaded and
Jeff Gural, CEO of American Racing and Entertainment and owner of Tioga Downs, shakes the hands of Tioga Downs employees as they board a motor coach style bus that was transporting them to Schenectady on Thursday, July 2, in support of the Request for Application (RFA) package that was sent out for the fourth gaming license in New York State. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
completely filled a truck with boxes, which departed Tioga Downs at approximately 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 2 for Schenectady.
During the press conference, Gural commented positively about the re-submission, and stated that all of the questions asked by the Gaming Commission have been answered.
“We changed to a more conventional casino type of financing. Regarding equity questions, $32 million will be in process by Monday,” said Gural. Other changes include the addition of 25 extra hotel rooms and another restaurant.
Gural explained that the main focus at this point is building Phase I, which after being awarded the license, would start immediately and take at least six months to get up and running and a year to be complete.
An acquired golf course five miles from Tioga Downs will have a brand new clubhouse built, and further into Phase II, an additional hotel is in the works, as well as the possibility of an indoor water park, among other features and amenities.
Gural’s game-changing plan also includes giving $1 million every year to local non-profit organizations, as well as give $500,000 to small businesses who want to expand or get started.
The recent news regarding a possible second application in the Southern Tier may lower the odds for Gural’s bid; however, he maintains a positive position.
At a June 30 meeting called by Binghamton’s Mayor Rich David, the Binghamton City Council voted to approve a Resolution to support the establishment of a casino at the former Stow Manufacturing Site in Binghamton, N.Y., located at the corner of Montgomery and Frederick Streets.
Rumored as a potential bidder, Jeffrey Hyman, an Albany-area businessman who submitted an unsuccessful bid for a Schoharie County casino last year, is on record for having applied for a Brownfield Tax Credit for the former Stow Manufacturing property. Despite rumors, a developer for the site has not been formally announced.
At the July 2 press conference, Gural shared his thoughts about the potential fourth bidder.
Gural added, “We don’t know what they are building and they gave no details or information. The public wasn’t informed, nor were there hearings or discussion of environmental or traffic issues. That’s unheard of.”
Gural cited that with every other town in the original 15 applications for new construction, public hearings were held.
At a question and answer session following the press conference, Gural explained further, “They shouldn’t be competitive. It would cost 50 percent more today to duplicate what I’ve done here, and it would take several years to be built.”
Gural said confidently, “I’m not convinced there will be another bidder.” July 6, the due date of the RFA to the Gaming Commission is symbolic for Gural, it also happens to be his birthday.
Gural stated that he suspects the Gaming Commission will make a decision after Labor Day, and believes hearings will begin in August. He also hopes that the Gaming Commission will visit the area.
To stay informed on the process behind the fourth license, you can visit the Gaming Commission’s website at http://gaming.ny.gov. There you can find video clips from their meetings, tweets, and any documents relative to the process.
To learn more about Tioga Downs, visit them at www.tiogadowns.com.
