The community is invited to join Tioga Downs and community leaders in a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. Tioga Downs is planning a multi-million dollar expansion now that the Gaming Location Board has recommended awarding the state’s final full casino gaming license to the facility.
All are invited to a series of events offering a chance to share a Southern Tier High Five with owner Jeff Gural, whose vision and commitment to the Southern Tier is what made the revenue, jobs and countless other opportunities, which will come with a full gaming license, possible.
“We are so excited to begin transforming Tioga Downs into a world class full casino gaming resort,” said Gural. “I am also looking forward to this opportunity to personally thank those who were instrumental in supporting our efforts to acquire this license.”
Following the groundbreaking ceremony, invited guests will attend a private reception with a champagne toast from 3:30 until 6:30 p.m.
Everyone visiting Tioga Downs that day will be able to celebrate with free cake until 10 p.m. Visitors can also bring two canned goods and receive a $5 lunch or dinner buffet. All food will be donated to the Southern Tier Food Bank.
The standing Friday promotion, $250 Free Play Hot Seats will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. as usual. Special musical guest the “Gravelding Brothers” classic rock band will perform from 8 until 11 p.m.
The celebration continues on Saturday, Oct. 31 with the public Halloween Party from 9 p.m. until midnight. Cash prizes, including $1,000 for first place, will be awarded for the best costume. Free cake will be offered from 1 until 10 p.m., and a $5 lunch or dinner buffet will again be available for anyone donating two canned goods. Gaming incentives include a variety of “hot seat” promotions with the “Scaryday Cat” Cash Hot Seats from 7 to 11 p.m. where one winner every 30 minutes gets up to $500 cash and special $2,000, $3,000 and $5,000 Cash Hot Seats at 11 p.m., 11:30 p.m. and midnight, respectively. Musical guest “That 90’s Band” will provide the entertainment that evening.
The celebratory weekend culminates on Nov. 1 with Jeff Gural’s High Five Sunday Celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. Guests who earn five gaming points and high five Jeff at Coasters Bar will receive a free Tailgate Buffet or slice of pizza and a coke (limited to first 500 people). All guests can also enjoy free cake during the party.
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.
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. Jeff Gural owns Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. and Vernon Downs in Vernon, N.Y. Tioga Downs is beginning the process of transforming into a full casino gaming resort to serve the Southern Tier and beyond.
Tioga Downs is in the process of expanding 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 and donated millions to nonprofit organizations. For more information on Tioga Downs, visit www.tiogadowns.com.
