Pictured, Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. is vying for New York State’s final, full gaming license. A public comment session will take place on Sept. 18 in Binghamton, N.Y. as a part of the Request For Application process. A decision on the award could be made this fall. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Pictured, Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. is vying for New York State’s final, full gaming license. A public comment session will take place on Sept. 18 in Binghamton, N.Y. as a part of the Request For Application process. A decision on the award could be made this fall. (Photo by Wendy Post)
On Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) will hold a session in Region 5, which Tioga Downs is a part of, to solicit public comments on the applicant’s proposal and the potential impact on their region and community. The session will by held at SUNY Broome Community College’s Baldwin Gym in Binghamton, N.Y.
Tioga Downs, located in Nichols, N.Y., is the sole applicant for the additional award of a full gaming license in this region, and filed their application, once again, by New York State’s deadline of Monday, July 6.
The public comment session is being held just shy of one year since the GFLB awarded a license for the Southern Tier Region to Lago Resort and Casino in Tyre, N.Y. – an award that stirred controversy over its proximity to a Federally protected wildlife preserve, and its construction being questioned about being located in the “real” Southern Tier.
With the New York State Gaming Commission, which the GFLB was appointed by, to make a decision this fall on whether an additional gaming license will be awarded in the “true” Southern Tier, the public, as a part of this process, is invited to the Sept. 18 comment session as part of the process. This public comment event is free, and does not require advance registration to attend.
Each speaker addressing the Board will be given an individual five-minute speaking slot.
Doors will open for this public comment period at 9:30 a.m., according to New York State’s Gaming Commission, and the Board will receive comments between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at SUNY Broome Community College in the Baldwin Gym, located at 907 Upper Front St. in Binghamton, N.Y.
The Gaming Commission noted that except for limited reserved seating for members of the Board and staff and the applicant team, seating would be on a first-come, first-served basis.
The event will also be streamed live and archived on the Gaming Commission’s website, www.gaming.ny.gov. Members of the public not wishing to comment are encouraged by the Gaming Commission to watch the live stream remotely in order to preserve limited seating for those wishing to comment.
To reserve a segment, members of the public should email their name, organization (if applicable) and desired time request to info@gaming.ny.gov. All reservation slots will be will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and may be requested through the close of business on Sept. 16. The balance of time slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, with sign-ups conducted at the event.
In addition to oral statements, the Board will accept written submissions at the event and up to seven days following the event. Statements received beyond seven days following the event will not be included in the formal record but will be included in the full Request For Application (RFA) process record.
All submissions should clearly identify the submitter’s name and affiliation, if any, and be sent to: Gail P. Thorpe, Supervisor of Contract Administration New York State Gaming Commission, Contracts Office, One Broadway Center, Schenectady, N.Y. 12301-7500. Written comments may also be submitted via email to info@gaming.ny.gov.
As for Tioga Downs, the casino has announced its readiness to begin expansion work, pending regulatory approval, to make as much progress before winter as possible.
Currently, Tioga Downs generates approximately $60 million dollars in annual slots revenue. Once an expansion is complete, a 75 percent increase in net gaming revenue in 2018 is expected, pumping additional tax and philanthropic dollars into the community.
Tioga Downs and its owner, Jeff Gural, are known for their commitment to a number of charitable causes, particularly those related to veterans of the armed forces as well as the Food Bank of the Southern Tier that help feed those less fortunate within the 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. 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.
