Hotel at Tioga Downs officially opens

Although the official opening for the new hotel at Tioga Downs Casino, located in Nichols, N.Y. was last month, a ceremony last Friday offered guests and members of the press a tour of the new hotel and a look at its amenities.

Standing alongside dignitaries and local leaders, Jeff Gural, chairman of American Racing and Entertainment LLC, addressed guests and media in attendance.

“We’re honored and humbled to have so many join us to celebrate this major milestone in the transformation of Tioga Downs into a full-service destination resort,” said Gural at the event last Friday.

Gural also reflected on the uphill battle to become a full-fledged casino; a process that spanned over a period of more than five years.

He specifically talked about 2014, and his unsuccessful bid to place the Southern Tier casino at his location, often joking that someone finally showed the governor a map. Del Lago, located in Seneca County and near the thruway, was selected for the Southern Tier gaming license in 2014.

But Gural doubled his efforts after 2014, and was able to resubmit a bid for a full-fledged casino license; a bid in which Gural pledged a capital investment of $122.6 million.

However, last year Gural’s capital investment was up to $134 million, a number that was expected to increase.

“It’s been a labor of love,” Gural recounted.

And labor of love it is. Gural loves the area, and personally wanted to make the investment in the community. 

He revived the former horse racing track 11 years ago when he received a license to open a “racino”, which included slot machines and a harness racing track.

Years later, Gural’s hard work on gaining one of New York State’s casino licenses, and the build of the hotel and additional amenities, paid off.

“We now have a convenient and comfortable place for guests of all ages to stay and enjoy the many wonderful amenities the property has to offer,” Gural added during his remarks.

New York State’s Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul, also addressed guests, noting that the casino will lead to changes. In specific, she talked about tourism.

“Tourism in New York State is up by 5.5 percent,” stated Hochul, adding, “This will bring tourism to this area.”

Gural, after remarks by New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, cut a ribbon to officiate the hotel’s opening.

And with the official opening of the hotel, owner Jeff Gural is close to completing the transformation of the racino into a Las Vegas-style operation with accommodations for guests.

The new hotel, now complete, boasts 161 rooms and spans six floors. The hotel also includes a new events center that can accommodate up to 400 guests for special occasions such as weddings and banquets.

Tioga Downs also revealed its new amenities for the first time last Friday, including the full-service AgeLess Spa, a fitness center, two rooftop decks, an events center with banquet and reception area, and P.J. Clarke’s restaurant.

Additionally, there will be a new clubhouse for the nearby Tioga Country Club golf course, which includes a new dining location, pro shop, locker rooms and spacious banquet area for those looking to host special occasions at the club.

And the addition of the hotel and its amenities created hundreds of new jobs, bringing the total number of employees to approximately 700 at Tioga Downs.

The casino has 944 slot machines, 32 gaming tables and 12 poker tables.

Reservations for the hotel can be made online at www.tiogadowns.com/hotel/, or by calling 1-888-946-8464.

To learn more about Tioga Downs, visit www.tiogadowns.com.

 

 

 

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