Tioga Downs, in Nichols, N.Y., is celebrating a year of growth and progress. December marked one year since the casino resort completed its gaming floor expansion.
The expansion of the new gaming floor established Tioga Downs as a full-scale gambling operation. In addition to the new 12-table poker room and 32 Las Vegas style table games, the casino also added 140 new slot machines.
The gaming selection isn’t all that’s grown. In December 2017, Tioga Downs opened a new hotel that boasts 161 rooms and spans six floors, and includes a new event center that can accommodate up to 450 guests for special occasions such as weddings, banquets and conventions. Tioga Downs also recently opened the full-service AgeLess Spa, a new fitness center, two rooftop decks, and expanded its dining options with the addition of new restaurant, P.J. Clarke’s.
During warmer weather, guests will now have three swimming areas to choose from, thanks to the new indoor pool, outdoor pool and water slide, all of which are salt water. Additionally, Tioga Downs has constructed a new clubhouse for the nearby Tioga Golf Club, which includes a new dining location, pro shop, locker rooms and spacious banquet area for tournament receptions or those looking to host special occasions at the club.
This massive amount of development established Tioga Downs as a complete casino resort and one of the region’s most valuable tourist destinations. Most recently Tioga Downs has formed partnerships with Watkins Glen International, the Corning Museum of Glass and the Finger Lakes Wine Country.
Economically, Tioga Downs has contributed to Tioga County and its surrounding areas. In its first year, the casino contributed $1,322,606 in gross gaming revenue for the Town of Nichols and Tioga County, respectively, $1,419,669 for Broome County, $294,408 for Chemung County, $70,694 for Schuyler County, $718,780 for Tompkins County and $141,662 for Wayne County.
Most importantly, these expansions created hundreds of new local jobs, bringing the total number of Tioga Downs employees to about 700, a number that’s expected to grow during its racing season.
“Tioga Downs is truly a Southern Tier success story,” stated Senator Fred Akshar.
He added, “Our community continues to reap the benefits of millions in economic activity, tax revenue and philanthropy generated by the hard work, vision and unwavering dedication of Mr. Gural and his entire team. On behalf of the 52nd Senate District, he and his team have our sincere thanks and best wishes for the future. I know this is only the beginning of the success that’s in store for Tioga Downs.”
“Tioga County has been a longtime, strong supporter of Tioga Downs since it opened in 2006,” stated Marte Sauerbrey, chair of the Tioga County Legislature.
She added, “We stood behind Jeff Gural and his team as they worked to build a facility that offers live harness racing, an entertainment venue and a six-story hotel, creating a full-fledged casino resort. The success of Tioga Downs is personal, because it means jobs and opportunity for the people of Tioga County. We have been part of the effort to bring Tioga Downs forward and celebrate the success it has brought. Congratulations to Tioga Downs, Jeff Gural and all of the Tioga Downs team!”
“The opening of the full casino has given many of our residents the opportunity for employment in an organization that is a great employer, and truly gives back to the community,” stated Lesley Pelotte, mayor of the Village of Nichols.
She added, “Jeff Gural, with his vision and great staff, are continuing to bring jobs and economic viability to not only the village, town and Tioga County, but to the entire Southern Tier. Jeff Gural is without a doubt one of those rare individuals that sincerely cares not only for those that frequent Tioga Downs, but also the community that surrounds Tioga Downs.”
Tioga Downs and the Gural family have also continued to be major philanthropic contributors. Since Tioga Downs opened, Gural, owner of Tioga Downs, has donated several million dollars to charity, and intends to donate $1 million from his foundation to local charities each year in the future.
For more information on Tioga Downs, visit www.tiogadowns.com.
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