The 600-pound table games are being unloaded at Tioga Downs on Monday. The tables, pictured here, were of the 37 that arrived on Monday from Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Wendy Post)
On Monday, 37 table games arrived at Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, N.Y. This delivery, which came from Las Vegas, Nevada, is another big step for Tioga Downs as they transition into a full gaming facility.
Among the delivery to Tioga Downs on Monday were three Crap tables, two Russian Roulette tables and 19 Blackjack tables, along with a variety of what is referred to as carnival games, according to Jeff Townsend, assistant general manager at Tioga Downs.
He also noted that there are currently 461 slot machines in use at the Nichols casino, and that there will be 944 when the expansion to a full gaming facility is complete.
As for a timeline as to when the table games will be operational at Tioga Downs, Scott Freeman, who serves as president and general manager at Tioga Downs, stated that there is no set time as there are regulatory rules to go over.
“There has been extensive training,” said Freeman of the operation of table games, adding, “It’s been a lot of work.”
The 600-pound table games are being unloaded at Tioga Downs on Monday. The tables, pictured here, were of the 37 that arrived on Monday from Las Vegas, Nevada. To the left, management from Tioga Downs watches, as they are unloaded. (Photo by Wendy Post)
He did note that Tioga Downs was ahead of the game, expansion-wise, as they already opened Virgil’s Restaurant on site, and began the construction of the hotel in early September.
“Some things can’t be rushed,” Freeman added, “and the regulations and training surrounding the table gaming is one of them.”
Townsend, however, is predicting that the table games will be operational by the end of the year.
When the tables arrived from Las Vegas on Monday, Freeman and Townsend were both on hand, as well as employees of Tioga Downs who gathered near the loading dock.
Coming off the truck in one of the first loads was a Craps table, which weighed 600 pounds, according to the haulers.
With this amount of weight, workers carefully lifted the table to the back of the truck, and then shimmied it further to utilize the lift on the truck in addition to the forklift, to get the table unloaded.
And the unloading of the tables was a relief to the drivers, as they had been on the road, en route from Vegas, since last Thursday.
Regarding their arrival, Freeman and Townsend were pleased, and stated, “The tables are right on point and exactly what we were expecting.”
But members of the media fielded questions regarding what Tioga Downs expects upon approval of the regulations, and the commencement of table games at Tioga Downs.
Freeman was carefully optimistic.
“Being new at the market, we would be remiss to put a number on what we expect to see,” said Freeman.
Townsend feels that they will do well, considering the community support that has been behind their efforts.
The New York State Gaming Commission formally awarded a casino gaming license to Tioga Downs in late August.
Tioga Downs began construction for their expansion soon after it was recommended for a casino license last year.
Tioga Downs was rejected during the first round of casino applications to the state, but was given the go-ahead to apply after an additional license was approved for the Southern Tier region.
In addition to Las Vegas-style table games, the expansion at Tioga Downs includes a new restaurant, hotel and other amenities.
To learn more, visit www.tiogadowns.com.
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