By: Jared Evan
Lawmakers are posed to agree the approval of three gaming licenses that would allow for the creation of three new casinos in the downstate/ New York City are. “After nearly two years of unprecedented layoffs in New York’s hospitality sector, there’s only one thing that will pave the path to recovery: more high-quality jobs. With a smart, responsible approach to new casino licenses, we have the opportunity to put unemployed hospitality workers back to work while also giving our economy a much-needed boost,” said Rich Maroko, president of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council Union.
The New York Post reports, “Issuing full gaming casino licenses downstate has moved to the top of my agenda,” said Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon), chairman of the state Assembly Committee on Gaming and Wagering. Pretlow said Genting’s Resorts World gambling parlor at Aqueduct race track and MGM’s Empire City slots parlor at Yonkers Raceway would have a “head start” to win two of the three downstate gaming licenses to expand to include table games. The venues are currently only permitted to offer Lottery Division’s slot-style video lottery terminal games. “They’re already up and running. They have the room to add table games and the resources to pay the license fee,” Pretlow said of the locations. “Let’s go!”
Joe Addabbo (D-Queens), the chair of the Senate gambling committee, agreed that action to license downstate casinos should start this year, The New York Post reports. “We should have revenue from licensing fees included in the state budget,” said Addabbo, whose district includes Resorts World at Aqueduct. The licenses could fetch upward of $750 million for the state treasury, the lawmakers said.”
According to The New York Post, Rich Maroko, president of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council Union recently said, “Existing gaming facilities like Resorts World in Queens and Empire City Casino in Yonkers are in a unique position to provide that boost quickly and efficiently,” he said. “What we need now is for our state leaders to step up and give us the tools to protect workers and create new employment opportunities.”
“Resorts World at Aqueduct, which recently opened a hotel, said it’s eager to obtain a license to expand its casino operations to include table games like black jack, baccarat, craps and poker. Between the upcoming launch of our mobile sports platform and the potential for a full casino license in Queens, we couldn’t be more excited about the future of gaming in New York and the economic benefits it will bring people across the city and state,” Resorts World said in a statement. “If granted a full casino license, we’ll be able to immediately hire and train hundreds of new union members, generate even more revenue for public schools, and continue to be a powerful economic engine for local small businesses and the community.”
Hochul’s office declined comment to The New York Post, referring questions to the gaming commission. “The gaming commission is obligated to prepare and distribute a report with the results of the request for information submissions from casino operators to the governor and the legislature no later than six months from December 10, 2021, a spokesman said.”
