From the right, Linn Redder, director of marketing for Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y., offers a high-five to Dorothy Tobin, player’s club manager at Tioga Downs, after it was announced on Wednesday that they would receive New York’s final full gaming license.
At approximately 2:08 p.m. on Oct. 14, Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. was recommended by the Gaming Facility Location Board to be approved for New York State’s final, full gaming license. The recommendation, announced at a meeting with the Gaming Commission in Manhattan, received support from members present, with Kevin Law, chairman of New York’s Gaming Commission presiding over the meeting.
“The board has the power to make a recommendation,” said Law during the meeting, which was available via webcast on the Gaming Commission’s website and televised in the Winner’s Circle at Tioga Downs.
He added, “In 2014 we selected four facilities for a license.”
It was soon after that Governor Andrew Cuomo recommended an additional license be awarded to the Southern Tier. Tioga Downs was the sole applicant.
A celebration, that included confetti, took place at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. on Wednesday after it was announced that they would receive New York’s final full gaming license. (Photos by Wendy Post)
Law also noted that within their decision on Wednesday regarding their applicant (Tioga Downs) they looked at areas such as investment into the project in an area where jobs are needed, and the potential the Gaming Commission has for bringing in revenue.
The Gaming Commission also spoke of the public hearing held in Binghamton last month and of how well it was attended.
Law stated, “We held a very well attended comment session, heard over fifty individuals speak positively about Tioga Downs, and received two thousand eight hundred and fifteen (2,815) letters in support of an award to the facility. We even visited Tioga Downs following the hearing.”
With that said, Tioga Downs was recommended by members for the final full gaming license.
Back at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y., confetti was flying and guests and staff were cheering as the announcement was made on the televised screen.
WWII Veteran Bob Page, of Johnson City, N.Y., talks to Linn Redder, director of marketing for Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y., about how he was always hoping Jeff Gural and Tioga Downs would succeed after it was announced on Wednesday that they would receive New York’s final full gaming license.
Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs, stated in a press release that arrived shortly after the announcement, “Many members of the community were instrumental in demonstrating to the State that awarding a license to Tioga Downs would positively impact our region. I would like to personally thank the selection committee, Governor Cuomo and the many municipalities and community leaders who made this license for Tioga Downs a reality.”
Gural added, “In addition, we appreciate every single person who wrote a letter, sent an email or spoke in favor of a full gaming license for Tioga Downs at the public hearing. Your showing of support made all the difference in allowing us to move forward and begin transforming Tioga Downs into a full gaming resort.”
At the Nichols, N.Y. facility, Erica Miller, senior sales and tourism executive for Tioga Downs, couldn’t say much after the announcement. “I’m still in shock,” said Miller.
Kyle Messersmith, marketing promotions and entertainment coordinator for Tioga Downs stated he was extremely happy. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Messersmith.
Jeff Townsend, assistant general manager at Tioga Downs, stated that they are all clearly thrilled by the decision, and wanted to thank the Gaming Facility Location Board.
“This is a great opportunity not only for us,” said Townsend, “but for the entire community.”
Around the Southern and Twin Tiers, the news on the win for Tioga Downs resounded.
Rebecca Maffei, director of Tioga County Tourism, stated, “It’s a very exciting day, it’s a real game changer. This is fantastic for Tioga County tourism and it will have a regional, widespread impact as well.”
Gwen Kania, CEO and president of the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce stated, “It will have a trickle down effect on businesses. Local merchants will see more customers. We’ll be a partner with Tioga Downs to bring visitors into Tioga County.”
For business owners Chris and Irene White, owners of the Redneck Boot Shop in Owego, N.Y., they were very pleased about the news, stating, “We’re both ecstatic, it will be extremely beneficial to the community; and Tioga Downs is wonderful to work with.”
Sandra Knapp-Dunbar, owner of Dunbar Antiques & The ‘Erb Lady in Owego, N.Y., and a community member involved with the Historic Owego Marketplace and Strawberry Festival stated, “It’s a great thing for our economy and I support them.”
Jim Mead, owner of the Early Owego Antique Center was also very pleased with the outcome. He stated, “I’m thrilled and it will bring people from afar to see what Tioga County has to offer.”
Kareen Walker, from the Black Cat Gallery in Owego, N.Y. stated, “I’m delighted! He (Jeff Gural) deserved it. He is so tremendously involved in the community, it will be so good for everyone.”
Once complete, Tioga Downs will be transformed into a $195 million regional entertainment destination. The expansion will also represent a significant investment in the local workforce in the form of 840 new direct and indirect jobs and $145 million of spending for the State of New York.
Always committed to investing in the community, the expansion will allow Tioga Downs to further assist small businesses and charitable causes, which Law noted when he addressed board members and the Gaming Commission in Manhattan.
To thank the community for its support, Tioga Downs offered its dinner buffet for free to all guests on Oct. 14 beginning at 4 p.m.
“It’s just one small way of saying thanks for believing in us and allowing us to move forward with this exciting new chapter at Tioga Downs,” said Gural in a release received following the announcement.
There will be more information regarding plans for moving forward in the near future, according to the release received following the Gaming Commission announcement.
Tioga Downs offers live harness racing, video lottery terminals, video poker and electronic roulette. A variety of eateries are also part of the current entertainment complex located on River Road, and just off of Interstate 17/86.
Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. and Vernon Downs in Vernon, N.Y. Tioga Downs can now begin the process of transforming into a full casino gaming resort to serve the Southern Tier and beyond.
In the last decade, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have created more than 700 family-sustaining jobs and donated millions to nonprofit organizations. For more information on Tioga Downs, visit www.tiogadowns.com.
