Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y., pictured, is the only applicant as the Gaming Commission’s deadline passes for a second full gaming license in the Southern Tier. A decision by the commission is expected by the fall of this year. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y., pictured, is the only applicant as the Gaming Commission’s deadline passes for a second full gaming license in the Southern Tier. A decision by the commission is expected by the fall of this year. (Photo by Wendy Post)
The deadline for filing an application for a fourth gaming license in New York State ended at 4 p.m. on Monday, July 6, with only one application, from Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. submitted, according to Lee Park, Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB).
Prior to the July 6 deadline there had been another interested applicant, Albany-area businessman Jeffrey Hyman, who had submitted a bid to develop a casino at Howe Cavern’s in Schoharie County, N.Y. during the application cycle last year.
Last week, the Binghamton City Council adopted a resolution to support a build at a site located in the city’s center – the former Stow Manufacturing Site located at the corner of Frederick and Montgomery Streets, and near the I-88 and I-86 (17) crossover.
On Sunday, Hyman informed city officials that he is dropping his proposal to build a casino in Binghamton.
According to Binghamton news sources, Hyman made this decision after the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation published new Environmental Zone maps last week. These maps caused some of his investors to pull their support from the project, forcing him to dissolve his application.
With Hyman’s withdrawal from interest in the Binghamton site, Tioga Downs is now the only applicant for New York’s fourth gaming license in the Southern Tier.
Upon word of this news, Jeff Gural, CEO of American Racing and Entertainment and owner of Tioga Downs, continued with the optimistic outlook he has maintained throughout this lengthy process. Tioga Downs’ application was filed last Thursday, July 2.
Gural stated, “We are aware that Mr. Hyman has decided not to pursue a casino license in Binghamton. From the beginning, we have been focused on improving our second Request For Application submission for the license and we’re confident that our project is the right choice for the Southern Tier.”
“We look forward to bringing much needed revenue, jobs, and assistance to the region through the successful award of a full gaming license,” added Gural.
Tioga Downs’ bid includes $145 million in new investments including a hotel, table games, 200 additional electronic gaming machines, two restaurants, and expansions and upgrades to the gambling hall and a nearby golf course.
During a press conference planned for Tuesday, plans for the new proposed full gaming resort will be revealed to media along with renderings of the new facility.
In a release announcing Tuesday’s conference, it was stated, “The bidding process has been re-opened as a result of the activities of Tioga Downs and its owner, Jeff Gural, and the entire Tioga Downs family looks forward to bringing much needed revitalization to the area.”
Tioga Downs submitted their application last Thursday, July 2. It is the second application for Tioga Downs, as their first application was denied last year when the GFLB awarded the Southern Tier License to Lago Resort and Casino in Tyre, N.Y.
In March, the Gaming Commission announced it would accept another round of applications for a fourth license. And although the Gaming Commission stated that there is no guarantee another license will be awarded, if it does award a fourth, it will be in the fall of this year.
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.
