Owner fires back against efforts to block Tioga Downs’ gaming license

Owner fires back against efforts to block Tioga Downs’ gaming licenseThe Seneca County Board of Supervisors recently asked New York State to not grant a full gaming license to Tioga Downs (pictured). On Monday, Tioga Downs’ owner Jeff Gural responded to the Seneca County Board’s resolution recommending the creation of exclusivity zones in the 90-mile region surrounding Lago Resort & Casino in Tyre, N.Y. and others awarded full gaming licenses – which Tioga Downs falls within. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Owner fires back against efforts to block Tioga Downs’ gaming license

The Seneca County Board of Supervisors recently asked New York State to not grant a full gaming license to Tioga Downs (pictured). On Monday, Tioga Downs’ owner Jeff Gural responded to the Seneca County Board’s resolution recommending the creation of exclusivity zones in the 90-mile region surrounding Lago Resort & Casino in Tyre, N.Y. and others awarded full gaming licenses – which Tioga Downs falls within. (Photo by Wendy Post)

While issuing support for the Lago Resort & Casino, the Seneca County Board of Supervisors effectively asked the State of New York not to grant a full gaming license to Tioga Downs, according to a release received from a Tioga Downs spokesperson on Monday.

According to the release, a resolution passed earlier this week in which the Seneca County Board recommended creating “exclusivity zones” in the 90-mile region surrounding Lago and the other sites granted licenses under the 2013 Gaming Act. Tioga Downs falls just within that radius.

Yet in their presentation to initially obtain the full gaming license, according to the release, both Lago and the Board noted that competition was positive, as it improved the quality of the product offered to patrons.

Currently, Tioga Downs generates approximately $60 million dollars in slot machine revenue. Once an expansion is complete, revenue is expected to triple, pumping additional tax and philanthropic dollars into the community.

“Now that the Lago project is facing its share of struggles, the Seneca County Board issues a low blow like this to try and eliminate the very competition their camp all said was a good thing and a positive for their project,” said Jeff Gural, CEO and chairman of American Racing and Entertainment LLC.

He continued, “We have in good faith submitted our application to the selection committee, and we are looking forward to the successful award of a full gaming license. Furthermore, given the number of Native American casinos and racinos near Lago, it’s likely that most of their customers will come from these facilities. It seems a little overreaching to ask that Tioga Downs be excluded from applying for the Southern Tier License because it might take a few customers from Lago.”

Construction on the Lago project has halted while the next steps to correct potential environmental issues can be determined. Meanwhile, Tioga Downs is prepared to begin its expansion as soon as a license is granted and would be the first to market among the others awarded a license. Plans are in place to begin work once selected so as much construction can be completed before winter, pending regulatory approval.

“From the beginning, I felt that our project was the right size in the right community,” said Gural.

He added, “We have been around as a racino for the past decade and have been critical in getting these full gaming licenses passed in New York State. The Seneca Board and Lago need to focus their energies on their own project and overcoming the myriad of obstacles that they currently face. As for Tioga, we have done our due diligence and we look forward to this next phase of growth for our community and the entire Southern Tier region.”

Tioga Downs offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic roulette. A variety of eateries are also part of the entertainment complex.

Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. and Vernon Downs in Vernon, N.Y. Tioga Downs is the lone bidder for the state’s final full gaming license in the Southern Tier region. Once awarded, Tioga Downs will expand its facility and workforce to accommodate live casino gaming.

In the last decade, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have created more than 700 family-sustaining jobs. For more information on Tioga Downs, visit www.tiogadowns.com.